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Get out of my face!


Get out of my face!
Photo Information
Copyright: Willem Botha (whjb) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 51 W: 26 N: 172] (683)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-10-28
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG Macro, 58mm UV
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/250 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-01-11 13:34
Viewed: 1405
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) is a species of horned owl resident in much of Europe and Asia.

The Eagle Owl is a very large and powerful bird, similar in size, but typically slightly smaller than the Golden Eagle. It is the largest species of owl with a wingspan of up to 200 cm. Adults can weigh in excess of 4 kg, in comparison the common Barn Owl weighs about 500g. It mainly feeds on small mammals but will take prey up to the size of foxes and young deer. It will also take many other birds including other birds of prey.

It is largely nocturnal and is found in mountains and forests with cliffs and rocky areas. It usually nests on cliff ledges. They live for around 20 years although like many other bird species in captivity they can live much longer, perhaps up to 60 years.

The call of the Eagle Owl is a deep resonant “ooh-hu” with emphasis on the first syllable for the male, and a more high-pitched uh-Hu for the female (in German, the name of this bird is "Uhu"). A recent study has shown that these calls are easily individualized. It means that each member of an Eagle Owl population can be individually identified by means of its vocalizations [1] ) .

The size, ear tufts and orange eyes make this a very distinctive species. It has a strong direct flight.

The Eagle Owl's scientific name comes from its deep booming call. The word "bubo," based on the call, has referred to owls, particularly the Eagle Owl, since the dark ages, and is mentioned in Middle English bestiaries.

The photo was taken at the Monte Casino Bird Park in Johannesburg, South Africa. It was part of the bird show and was flying freely.
mirceax, shal, JoseMiguel, RAP, kojak, coasties, scottevers7, loot, Aaltjie, nainnain has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To marty: You bet they do!!!loot 1 01-12 14:15
To Aaltjie: Baie dankiewhjb 1 01-12 13:29
To marty: Hallo to you too, Martinwhjb 1 01-12 06:02
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Critiques [Translate]

Wow,nr.1 owl portrait.I like the yes colours and the sharpness,great work.
Mircea

  • Great 
  • shal Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 259 W: 65 N: 476] (2124)
  • [2007-01-11 14:54]

Oops sorry Mr.Owl,
Hey Willem,
lovely sharp post of this guy,
Excellent details and composition,
Cheers :D

  • Great 
  • marcin Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 136 W: 0 N: 242] (1826)
  • [2007-01-11 16:08]

witam
super portret
pozdrawiam

Hello Willem,
A very clear and razorsharp image of this owl!
You got it with the right focus, light and exposure.
Great close up, its amazing details on the eyes, their deep orange color, the plumage, and beak.
Background is also very good thanks to the DOF used here.
Congratulations and thanks for share,
JM

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2007-01-11 16:40]

Hi Willem.

Your owl is a beauty! The eyes are magnificent - as are all the details and the sharpness. TFS

Jane

  • Great 
  • kojak Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 36 W: 0 N: 19] (163)
  • [2007-01-11 17:47]

Beautiful animal, and extremely well taken, really! Congrats!!!
the details are amazingly sharp, i think this just became one of my favorite portraits! ;)
G

Hi Willem

Love this shot. The Owl has a wonderful expression. Very good quality work. TFS.

Hi Willem,
This is a superb shot on this Eagle Owl! Amazing clarity and detail in this. Spot on exposure has the colors lookig perfect. I have two shots of Eagle Owls in my TN portfolio. One with Orange eyes like this, and recently one with bright yellow eyes. This is excellent camera work!
Scott

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5435 W: 593 N: 3649] (10027)
  • [2007-01-12 0:28]

Hi Willem

Briljant man...

Wow my friend you nailed this one on the button. Perfect camera work and excellent PP. I know how difficult it is to shoot these guys while they are performing in a bird show. Although they are free flying during the show it does not mean it will come and sit in front of you and say "Here I am, take my photo".

Your composition is great for this full-frontal and in-your-face portrait. Those eyes are so alive and well captured and the added bonus with the slightly opened beak. The colours are stunning and the details are ‘electrifying’. Not as in shocking, but as in WOW, or as in “That gave me a good jolt to wake me up so you have my full attention now”. Of course the slight coloured BG is superbly enhancing the darker bird and the exposure was spot-less showing some awesome contrasts.

Fantastic work and TFS.
Regards
Loot

Birds don;t fly freely as part of a show.

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2007-01-12 6:15]

Bonito primer plano Willem con excelente foco sobre la mirada del ave y muy buenos detalles de su llamativo plumaje.
Me gusta el punto de vista captado en conjunto con el encuadre y recorte elegidos, centralizando toda la atención sobre la cabeza del búho.
El desenfoque del fondo colabora con la estética de la presentación.
Un cordial saludo desde Buenos Aires... Ricardo

Nice close up Willem with excellent focus on the glance of the bird and very good details of their gaudy plumage.
I like the point of view captured together with the framing and chosen cropping, centralizing all the attention on the head of the owl.
The out of focus of the bottom collaborates with the aesthetics of the presentation.
A cordial greeting from Buenos Aires... Ricardo

Good day Willem

Mijn naam is Aaltjie. Ik ben een Nederlander die in Zuid-Afrika leeft. Ik heb slechts de hoogste bewondering voor fotografen die uitstekende foto's als dit op uw portefeuille nemen.

This owl’s eyes penetrates ones mind. As if he/she stares right into your past and brings out a strong message "Get out of my face, I know what you have been doing"

Wow, what a shot. The colour of the eyes is marvellous. I can also see so many details of the feathers.

You were very lucky to get such a great shot. Congratulations.

The note is great too. I like it very much. As I mentioned in some of my critiques, one is never too old to learn. I find your South African photographers very keen to educate via notes and critiques. That is one of the reasons I will only visit the portfolios of fellow South Africans. There is such a lot of talent here, and there is no time to visit all the other photographers.

I return to South Africa at the end of January and this bird park at he Monte Casino you mention in your notes is a venue I’ll definitely try to visit during this year.

Please note! There will be no time to gamble.

Regards
Aaltjie

Hi Willem,
Very sharp indeed...
Very good colors...
A quality pic!
TFS
Annick

Hi Willem,
What a wonderful photo, such amazing details and such a beautiful pose. The human element in its expression is well captured. I think I can see you in the reflection of its eyes.
TFS,
Niek

:) tomorrow

magnifique cette phot en gros plan, bonnes couleurs et supers détails
qu oseraient ne pas y mettre 2 points!!! seul un aveugle..
amitiès
edith

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