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Dinner


Dinner
Photo Information
Copyright: Aivar Mikko (metcher) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 523 W: 12 N: 968] (4115)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-03-25
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 300D, Canon EF 300 f4L
Exposure: f/8, 1/800 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Birds., Birds of South America, BIRDS OF AMERICA, Birds of Europe II, Birds of Europe, Birds of South Africa 1, Birds of Africa [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-04-24 11:46
Viewed: 1121
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 36
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
These pale, nearly worldwide, birds are closely associated with man through their traditional use in the Old World of barn lofts and church steeples as nesting sites. Although widely known beforehand, it was in 1769 when the Barn Owl was first officially described by Giovanni Scopoli, an Italian naturalist. The species name "alba" also refers to the colour white. Other names for the Barn Owl have included Monkey-faced Owl, Ghost Owl, Church Owl, Death Owl, Hissing Owl, Hobgoblin or Hobby Owl, Golden Owl, Silver Owl, White Owl, Night Owl, Rat Owl, Scritch Owl, Screech Owl, Straw Owl, Barnyard Owl and Delicate Owl.
Description: The Upperparts are light grey with numerous fine dark lines and scattered pale spots on the feathers. There are buff markings on wings and on the back. The underparts are white with a few black spots, occasionally none. Feathering on the lower legs may be sparse. The heart-shaped facial disc is white with a brownish edge, with brown marks at the front of the eyes, which have a black iris. Its beak is off-white and the feet are yellowish-white to brownish. Males and females are similar in size and colour, females and juveniles are generally more densely spotted.
Size: Female: Length 34-40cm (13.5-15.5") Wingspan 110cm (43") Weight 570g (20oz)
Male: Length 32-38cm (12.5-15") Wingspan 107cm (42") Weight 470g (15.5oz)
Habits: Generally nocturnal, although it is not uncommon to see this species emerge at dusk or be active at dawn, occasionally being seen in flight during full daylight. Flight is noiseless, with wingbeats interrupted by gliding.
Voice: The Barn Owl calls infrequently, the usual call being a drawn-out rasping screech. The courtship call of male at nest is a shrill repetitive twittering. Adults returning to a nest may give a low, frog-like croak. When surprised in its roosting hollow or nest, it makes hissing and rasping noises and snapping sounds that are often called bill snapping, but possibly made by clicking the tongue.
Hunting & Food: Barn Owls specialise in hunting small ground mammals, and the vast majority of their food consists of small rodents. Voles (field mice) are an important food item, as well as pocket gophers, shrews, mice and rats. Barn Owls breed rapidly in response to mouse plagues. Other prey may include baby rabbits, bats, frogs, lizards, birds and insects. Prey are usually located by quartering up and down likely looking land - particularly open grassland. They also use low perches such as fence posts to seek quarry.
Source: http://www.owlpages.com/owls.php?genus=Tyto&species=alba

Parque de Ciencias, ISO 200
MMM, Argus, nick27, stevkds, saeedabbasi, jcoowanitwong, coasties, Alex99, SkyF has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • demeve Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 514 W: 8 N: 1099] (4072)
  • [2007-04-24 11:58]

Nice picture Aivar, I like the Barn Owls beacuse of their rich plumage, and you managed to get a really nice face to face with this one, very good..

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 755 W: 0 N: 1515] (6928)
  • [2007-04-24 12:03]

Hi Aivar
Very nice portrait of that Owl.
Very sharp image with fantastic details of the feathers.Beautifull colors and nice DOF.You must have been closed to the subject ?
TFS Michel

Hi Aivar,
Excellent close-up with fantastic results with your exposure settings, the detail in the plumage shows up well. This time I was ready to look at this picture for I was not eating at the time instead I was sipping away on my Earl Grey Tea. :)

Hi Aivar,
An outstanding photo of this beautiful bird. The detail of the feathers on the face is fantastic. Good BG.
TFS,
Nick :-)

Hi Aivar.
Amazing photo. High quality. Excellent detail. Very good tones and crop, excellent patient to wait for him. This is such an amazing view. Vry well done. Tfs. Stev

Hi Aivar,
it's an impressive bird - I love the glance in his eyes so much, thanks
Sabine - wishnugaruda

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1696 W: 242 N: 5596] (19883)
  • [2007-04-24 14:31]

Hello Aivar,
this is a stunnig shot!
Very sharp and a fantastic POV.
Very well done,
Joey

Vaya foto, a pesar de tanto color blanco uno no pierde el detalle de ningún rincón. Casi has conseguido "meter" toda el ave en la foto ...
Gran belleza del animal bien plasmada por el artista. Enhorabuena.
Saludos desde Lleida: J. Ignasi

Wonderful capture of this Barn Owl . Color is good with sharp focus . We have a pare of these birds in an abandon barn on our farm in Alberta Canada , and they are fun to watch . What a wonder how far and wide these creatures can be found . TFS , Kevin .

Hi Aivar ,
great details with amazing colours.
excellent sharpness and nice background.
perfect shot.
thanks for sharing
Regards
Saeed

Hi Aivar,
Splendid picture of this exotic bird. Razor sharp and crisp clear image. Perfect exposure. Also excellent composition.
JC

Hi Aivar

The quality of this image is amazing. You have managed the exposure perfectly, with the clarity and sharpness being excellent. All 'n all, a perfect shot. :-)

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3043 W: 148 N: 4547] (14679)
  • [2007-04-25 6:55]

Hi Aivar.
What a perfectly composed and coloured picture of this amazing owl. I like the lights and shadows on the owl face, fantastic details of all main object including its food. BG is simply wonderful and no comment needs. Once more your great bird portrait work. BRAVO and best regards.
Alexei.

bonjour aivar
une autre vue differente de cet oiseau spectaculaire vraiment parfaitement realisée.
felicitations et merci.
laurent

  • Great 
  • Maite Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 982 W: 64 N: 1198] (4928)
  • [2007-04-25 10:07]

Hello Aivar
What a marvellous gallery of great shots you've got! I am really impressed with the beauty and excellent quality of each of them.
You did a great capture here! What a stunning owl with its prey! Great sharpness and details and gorgeous composition.
The note is really good too.
Congratulations and thank you very much for sharing.
Best wishes
Maite

PS: I had to remove one of my favourites to put your gallery in my list (sorry very much Madtrap).

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2390 W: 194 N: 1991] (8113)
  • [2007-04-25 14:36]

Hello Aivar,
great close up, the details you captured are amazing and very sharp. Beautiful portrait of this great owl.
TFS..Sky

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 927 W: 4 N: 2317] (10792)
  • [2007-04-26 6:50]

Hi Aivar,
Nice picture man with face to face position.
Ganesh

Hello Aivar,
Great details in this fine portrait!
I think the side light adds something extra to the image as it enhances the feeling of depth...
White parts of plumage are well exposed, attractive composition!
Greetings,
Pablo -

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