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Little Owl


Little Owl
Photo Information
Copyright: Pekka Valo (pekkavalo1) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 307 W: 21 N: 1202] (3793)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-06-25
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 1D Mark III, Canon EF 400mm f4.0 DO IS USM, RAW ISO 1600, Canon EF 1.4x Extender II
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/60 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-06-26 0:59
Viewed: 353
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
A Little Owl at RSPB Elmley Marshes nature reserve. This picture was shot 30 minutes after the sun set and the bird did not give the chance to attach the flash. I also tried ISO 3200 but the results were worse. No tripod but some support from a fence.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
The Little Owl (Athene noctua) is a bird which is resident in much of the temperate and warmer parts of Europe, Asia east to Korea, and north Africa. It is not native to Great Britain, but was introduced in the 19th century, and is now naturalised there.
This species is a part of the larger grouping of owls known as typical owls, Strigidae, which contains most species of owl. The other grouping is the barn owls, Tytonidae.
The Little Owl is a small owl, 23-27.5 cm in length. It takes prey such as insects, earthworms, amphibians, but also small birds and mammals. It is partly diurnal and often perches prominently during the day.
This is a sedentary species which is found in open country such as mixed farmland and parkland. It usually nests in holes in trees or rocks, laying 3-5 eggs which are incubated by the female for 28-29 days, with a further 26 days to fledging. Little Owls will also nest in buildings, both abandoned and those fitted with custom owl nest boxes. If living in an area with a large amount of human activity, Little Owls may grow used to man and will remain on their perch, often in full view, while humans are around.
The adult Little Owl of the most widespread form, the nominate A. n. noctua, is white-speckled brown above, and brown-streaked white below. It has a large head, long legs, and yellow eyes, and its white “eyebrows” give it a stern expression. This species has a bounding flight like a woodpecker. Juveniles are duller, and lack the adult's white crown spots. The call is a querulous kee-ik.
There is a pale grey-brown Middle Eastern type known as The Syrian Little Owl, or A. n. lilith. Other forms include another pale race, the north African A. n. desertae, and two intermediate subspecies, A. n. indigena of southeast Europe and Asia Minor, and A. n. bactriana of central Asia.
The Little Owl was sacred to the goddess Athena, from whom it gets the generic name.
Argus, maurydv, eng55, jaycee, nglen, CeltickRanger, darwin has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2613 W: 133 N: 7504] (23403)
  • [2008-06-26 2:49]

Hello Pekka,
This looks pretty good at ISO 1600.
Though at a slight distance, the Little Owl is sharply portayed and there is little noise.
Nice POV and composition on the lichen-covered brick wall.
TFS this fine image,
Ivan

Stupenda composizione per questo bellissimo rapace notturno con la suddivisione fra muretto e BG che esalta il senso di quiete e crea una bellissima atmosfera, ottimo POV, buona nitidezza, belli i colori anche se con poca luce a disposizione. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 353 W: 3 N: 376] (1127)
  • [2008-06-26 6:21]

Hi Pekka,
Very nice capture of this little owl.POV,colors,lighting,eye contact and BG are wonderful.
Thanks for posting.

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1788 W: 8 N: 4639] (15001)
  • [2008-06-26 10:12]

Hi Pekka,

You captured this Little Owl very very well. He is nice and sharp with excellent details and colors. Those big yellow eyes shine through. This picture gives us a very good idea of his size. Cute pose on the brick wall and a nice background.

Jane

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1993 W: 5 N: 5571] (21050)
  • [2008-06-26 11:54]

Hi Just got home from work so running a bit late tonight so just a note to say good picture for now. TFS.
Nick.

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1696 W: 242 N: 5596] (19883)
  • [2008-06-26 12:44]

Splendid image of this Little Owl! :-D
He looks very small and insignificant with this wide crop.
Very sharp and detailed.
The amount of noise is very low for such a high ISO.
Great composition and DOF.

Very well done, Pekka!

Joe

  • Great 
  • darwin Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 247 W: 0 N: 455] (1716)
  • [2008-06-26 20:18]

Hi Pekka
Wonderful composition with excellent detail and nice natural color
tfs jon

  • Great 
  • Dan Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 112 W: 0 N: 352] (1731)
  • [2008-06-27 0:51]

Hi Pekka,

What a beautiful composition, the owl and the old wall. Great photo in hard condition. Few days ago I watched 5 minutes a Little Owl catching a big locust but it was after sun set, dark = zero photos even at 1600 ISO.
Regards, Dan.

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2468 W: 168 N: 7464] (23588)
  • [2008-06-27 1:32]

Hej Pekka,
Showing this Little Owl on the brick wall illustrates very well its small size! The colours of the bricks and the lichens adds to the interest and you've focussed in very nicely to show details clearly. Well done!
Many thanks, Ulla

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 927 W: 4 N: 2317] (10792)
  • [2008-06-27 2:08]

Hello Pekka, Lovely composition of this owl on the wall. Sharp color and great focus. Ganesh

hello Pekka

excellent shot of the Little Owl, i love where he is posed
on the rocks wall, excellent sharpness and details
of the Owl and the foreground of the image,
great eye-contact of the owl with you, TFS

Asbed

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