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Little Owl.


Little Owl.
Photo Information
Copyright: howard shirley (gerbilratz) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 363 W: 0 N: 976] (3110)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-06-21
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 105mm F2.8 DG macro, Tiffen 58mm UV PROTECTOR USA
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/15 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-06-22 11:25
Viewed: 495
Points: 36
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Little Owl. Athene noctua.

This little fellow was found by my dog (a very soft-mouthed well trained Springer Spaniel Bitch) after it was attacked by crows. It had fallen from it's nest and had found it's way to an open area in farmland. The crows were responding to it's screeches and were pecking it. It was slightly injured under it's right wing.

The dog goes everywhere with me on walks and flower hunts/bird watching, so she is used to commands. The chick was picked up by the dog unharmed and brought to heel. The bird was distressed, but after waiting for 2 hours, it's parents had not responded. Usually when owl chicks leave the nest area, the parents abandon them. It's just nature as it is.

I have had experience of rearing raptors and owls since a boy, so, it was brought home to a makeshift avery and nursed. that was 3 weeks ago, as you can see, he is fine, fit and clear eyed. He has had a mixed varied insect and meat diet (road kill songbirds and worms) what is important is that the flesh eaten has some "roughage" in it to aid digestion. Bits of fur and feather help the owl to cast pellets, they do not carry gizzard stones for this, so roughage is essential.

This image was taken just before the owl was taken to an "owl" sanctuary, where it will be living with other little owls until big enough and strong enough to be returned to the wild. It is very important to not imprint too much "humanity" to them, it is a wild bird and belongs in the wild and in the wild it will be. I only took two images of this creature, it is after all, not mine nor an object for "photographic egoism" by distressing it with cameras etc.

This owl is an introduced species, small, chunky and rotund. They stretch upwards when alarmed, appearing longer and thinner. They will perch openly in daylight and usually hunt at dusk.it is this daylight habit that attracts other birds to it, usually passerines and then bigger more aggressive species. It lives in ruins and old buildings, boulder strewn hillsides and rough ground.

Nests in trees, banks and old buildings, quite an adaptable bird. Eats a variety of things, worms, insects rodents and small birds.

ISO 100
Shutter 1/15
F-stop 5.6
Ring light used for flash fill.

Hand held, manual focus, "hands" care of neighbour who is a veterinary nurse.
nglen, bojtorjan, zulfu, elroyie, boreocypriensis, uleko, cicindela, gpeler, jaycee, Juyona, Adanac, NinaM, eng55 has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To uleko: owlgerbilratz 1 06-22 13:41
To nglen: Little Owlgerbilratz 1 06-22 11:36
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1898 W: 4 N: 5163] (19674)
  • [2008-06-22 11:31]
  • [+]

Hi Howard. Great Story about the little owl , you did well to get it to this stage. Cute little thing with great big eyes. Lets hope the next stage in its lifre goes ok. Good detail in your pictures with natural colours. well done tFS.
Nick..

This is a very cute little owl :) I agree with you, they belong in the wild...

One point for the photo, and another for the story and your patience. It is great to hear that you gave another opportunity to this little fellow.
Thanks and regards, Felipe.

Hi Howard!

Such a cute little fellow with big, beautiful eyes.
Great story, you did the right thing.

TFS - Lea

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 476 W: 0 N: 70] (491)
  • [2008-06-22 12:36]

Hello Howard, lovely shot of this cute baby:). TFS. Regards, Mehmet

Hi Howard
A big smiley to you for your care of this little fellow. Your photo shows his vulnerability and I really like that.
Cheers
Sue

Very interesting story and very cute 'Little' Little Owl, it was his luck to meat you, he is too young to servive alone, I wish it wil survive, thanks for sharing.

Hi Howard, my dear friend...:) what a cute little fellow found by your dog! Lovely... I love its eyes:). Perfect shot my friend!
Have a great new week!
Cheers,

Bayram

Hi Howard!
What a cute little owl! Lovely presentation even if the bird is not in natural "environment" ;>
Nice to read all these interesting facts in your note too.
Best wishes from Poland,
Radomir

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1684 W: 8 N: 4321] (14053)
  • [2008-06-22 16:16]

Hi Howard,

I love this little owl and I love you and your dog for rescuing him, caring for him, and seeing that he will be returned to a normal life. He is so beautiful and so tiny. The face is precious with those big yellow owl eyes. Superb shot with wonderful colors and sharp details of his facial features and feathers. He was lucky to be found by the right person.

Jane

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1999 W: 6 N: 1951] (13041)
  • [2008-06-22 16:20]

Hola amigo,
original trabajo,
lindo y efectivo disparo,
excelente nota,
saludos Howard

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1036 W: 1 N: 3970] (13358)
  • [2008-06-22 18:17]

Hello Howard,
What an excellent image and story, I am glad you could save this little one, let the crows eat roadkill. Your image is great to us but must be special to you. Thank you for sharing Howard.
Rick

  • Great 
  • NinaM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 544 W: 0 N: 1338] (4443)
  • [2008-06-22 19:00]

First of all, I am fascinated by your story and the way you dealt with your new host. Congratulations, to be able to do such a thing is fantastic. And the picture is so nice, to see this baby owl so close and so small... thank you for sharing this beautiful story and best of luck to you and the owl... thanks to your dog!

Francine

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2375 W: 164 N: 7131] (22536)
  • [2008-06-23 0:38]
  • [+]

Hello Howard,
This is so small and so cute - I sincerely hope you succeed in rescueing it!
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 351 W: 3 N: 375] (1121)
  • [2008-06-23 0:44]

Hi Howard,
Very cute:)Details,sharpness,expression on face and especially eyes are perfect.
Thanks for posting.

Hi Howard,how is tender this little owl !!The pic is obviously perfect,i like a lot the details of the big eyes,thanks for share,have a nice week,Luciano

Howard hello this little owl is very precious.I am happy you and your dog were there to help.Wonderful shot.
Cecile

hi Howard, lovely little Owl with splendid blue eyes, excellent sharpness and fine details, very well done, ciao Silvio

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