Driftwood Short-Ear

[Steve Large]

• SONY ILCE-1
• FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter
• ƒ/4
• 560mm
• 1/3200s
• ISO 1600
• Flash not fired
• Sat, 08 February 2025 3:54 PM

This one taken at the mouth of the Fraser River near Ladner BC. A light coloured male short-eared owl.

 

[Brian Sump]

Steve, this is a very simple but effective frame for me.

Some of the key elements - the SEO on the ground, on a nice perch with the lichen coming from right to add color, with some brush below and a smooth, pinkish tinted neutral backdrop. Lovely.

I enjoy the great eye contact and in focus talons.

As a personal preference, I would like to see the subject a bit more right or at least central in the frame as its body is angled and opening toward the left.

Also, I think lightening the subject's right eye a little can really suck the viewer in, despite the fact that the right eye is in the shadows.

A beauty to view, tfs!

 

[Jonathan Ashton]

• Adobe Photoshop 2025 Windows

Steve I am envious - super shot super focus and a very clean image. The composition is knockout. Now this may be me but I wonder if the WB is out (or indeed if my screen is in need of calibration because I sense people are seeing things differently to me - see Andreas' post on the Green woodpecker).
Anyhow FWIW I attach an slight modification for your consideration..WDYT?

 

[Phill Luckhurst]

Fab shot Steve. Rarely easy to get a clear shot when they are on the ground. Seems you found a great angle on the bird and in great lighting.