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Little Owl close up...


Little Owl close up...
Photo Information
Copyright: howard shirley (gerbilratz) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 363 W: 0 N: 992] (3154)
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/4, 1/50 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-06-24 11:57
Viewed: 345
Points: 28
[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.

This was zoomed in from the original to 50%, sharpened and sized.

ISO 100
Shutter 1/50
F/4

Hand held, manual focus, flash fill used (macro ring light) PP was just zoomed to 50% sized and sharpened.

The main interest for this picture is that the owl has totally clear and stunning eyes, a good indicator of health... and will be ready for release to the wild very soon....
Dillinger, Jamesp, boreocypriensis, bahadir, Adanac, sranjan, goldyrs, meyerd, briddl has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Howard
Magnifique..., c'est stupéfiant.
Merci pour cette prise si nette et originale.
Amicalement
Laurent

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1003 W: 6 N: 2707] (10057)
  • [2008-06-24 13:53]

Woow Howard,i know you as a great expert of macro-flower,but this time you change and you show me a fantastic portrait,details impressive,the eyes are incredibles,my best compliments,Luciano

Hi,

I a hurry a just marking excellent pictures today. Be back later.

Thanks

Pekka

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1252 W: 0 N: 4842] (14380)
  • [2008-06-24 14:19]

Hi Howard

Great account - you have been rewarded with a great shot - one which few would achieve.

TFS

James

Hi Howard, my dear friend!
What splendid eyes of this little fellow. Perfectly captured by you. Great details and wonderful DOF. TFS this beauty.
Cheers,

Bayram

Hello Howard great shot. Love her eyes:). Splendid. TFS. Regards,
Bahadır

Nice shot, clear and sharp image. Seems you can do such a close shot, perhaps you can also try to focus on its eye. I saw some shots showing the details of an eye and that is pretty amazing.
TFS
Best regards,
Kean

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1049 W: 1 N: 4160] (13980)
  • [2008-06-24 17:48]

Hello Howard,
Beautiful story and image Howard. I'm glad a kind and knowledgable person found this little one. Thank you for sharing.
Rick

Dear Howard,
Very nice image of this little cutie pie :). Yet to understand what makes parents to abandon them on retreival to the nest!!!!!! Hope it survives! TFS.
Regards-Subhash

Looks spooky!
An excellent shot, Howard!
Very nicely captured!
Goldy

Hi Howard,
the best is the text! Thanks for sharing your adventure with us.
Best regards
Dietrich

Hi Howard, splendid closeup with wonderful eyes, good sharpness and fantastic details, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-06-26 21:30]

Hello Howard

A lovely close up of this cute owlet.
The eye detail and contact is impressive.
Excellent colours.
The pov and dof are terrific.
TFS

Rob

Hi Howard,
a fine close up on this little fellow. And an interesting note. It made me happy as I read that he will live free again.
There are many fine details in your shots, starting with the clear eyes, ending with the fine feathers.
Thanks for sharing.
Britta

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