Burrowing Owl

[Brian Sugden]

This image will probably divide opinion. I quite like it but my partner, Christine, does not. Burrowing owls, as their name suggests build their nests in sand and are becoming endangered as they lose their habitat to housing development. There are still a few nests on Cape Coral, Florida, though we have seen many nests disappear as new houses are built. Perches are erected for the owls to roost on but this one preferred a fire hydrant. Quite handy being red! EOS 1DX with 500mm f4 L IS lens and 1.4 converter. As always C & C's are most welcome.


[IMG]www.flickr.com/photos/101212171@N02/9783872736/]

[tesarver]

Re: Burrowing Owl

It is a nice crisp image, with plenty of detail. However, as you have pointed out the hydrant is very red, so that is the 1st thing you see when looking at the image, so then the Owl seems to fade into the background. I would crop out the red and just display the owl. But that is just my opinion.

Tom

[2Beers]

Re: Burrowing Owl

I'm with Tom on this one as the red hydrant draws your eye to it rather than the owl

[Stan]

Re: Burrowing Owl

With such a small owl, apart from the vibrant red, the hydrant does rather overpower the image. A crop to remove the bottom 2/3 of the hydrant would work better i think

Stan

[AndyMackie]

Re: Burrowing Owl

Personally, I like the intended balance between nature and urban life and the red is under control, not too powerful.

And the 1.4x doesn't appear to have noticeably softened the image on such a long lens - I'm not having much luck with the 2x so this picture gives me some hope that its just me and not the teleconverter.

Nice shot, Brian
Andy

[Brian Sugden]

Re: Burrowing Owl

I knew it would divide opinion but come on lads it's a lovely shade of red.

Andy, I used to use a 2x converter but sold it as I would prefer to crop if necessary. Also if you're using a lens with an f4 maximum aperture or larger a 2x converter makes it f8 which will then only auto-focus with series 1 cameras and then only with the central sensor. It can also be quite slow.

All the images I've posted on this site have been with a MKI 500mm f4 L IS lens and MKI 1.4 converter. I've been informed that the MKIII 1.4 converter is excellent, though I'm happy with the results I'm currently getting.

[wayne2418]

Re: Burrowing Owl

I'm going with thte first three comments.I think the hydrant should be lost or at least three quaters of it.

[Hereford_EOS]

Re: Burrowing Owl

Excellent photo but I would of cropped out the fire hydrant for the same reasons as above

[anand]

Re: Burrowing Owl



These look like Spotted Owlets in India that live on tree tops. Sharing an image for academic interest.

IMG_0149 UL.jpg

[DeeGee]

Re: Burrowing Owl

I'd keep the hydrant.

"Fire Bird"

[David Stallard]

Re: Burrowing Owl

100% keep the hydrant, it really gives the shot the 'edge'. Full 10 out of 10 from me. Bravo!

.DAVID.