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Eagle Owl


Eagle Owl
Photo Information
Copyright: Gary Fudge (garyfudge) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 181 W: 5 N: 320] (1098)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-06-28
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D80, Nikkor 80-400mm, Digital
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/60 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-06-29 2:08
Viewed: 763
Points: 36
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I must apologise for the quality. This fellow was very high up in the pines, about 40 feet or so, I got this shot plus a couple of others and then he moved over just a couple of branches so that he was almost out of sight all together. I was about 40 feet away from the base of the tree.

These are very rare in the wild in the UK and I only saw this one, no nest, just this fine big lad (or lass). I think probably lad by his size.

There's no scale here really, but Eagle Owls are huge, big enough to take young sheep even a young deer.

A full grown male can weigh as much as 8lbs to 9lbs and have a wingspan of around 6 feet plus, this fellow was somewhere in that ballpark, although I didn't see him fly.
In comparison a Barn Owl only weighs around a 1lb or so and has half that wingspan.

There are stories about Eagle Owls attacking people to see them off, but that's urban legend, they will tend to shy away from human contact, either by trying to hide, like this fellow did or simply by flying off.

Cailleach-oidhche-mhňr is the Gaelic name for this beast. It measns Big Old Woman of the Night.

Thanks for looking.

PaulH, LordPotty, Argus, gracious, angybone, mikou, jmirah, eqshannon, hester, gypsygirl58, lovenature has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To PaulH: Mondaygaryfudge 6 06-29 05:09
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1112 W: 23 N: 3660] (13089)
  • [2007-06-29 3:12]
  • [+]

Hi Gary,
what a great catch, nice details in the markings and good exposure, especially considering the conditions and the distance. I've been away from TN for a little while and you've had some great postings. I shall be at Loch Morclich on Monday after going to Sandwood Bay further north...fingers crossed for the weather...
tfs
Paul

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3825 W: 190 N: 11396] (35111)
  • [2007-06-29 3:38]

Hello Gary,
Marvellous to be able to take a shot like this is the wild. If this one is larger than ususual than it is a female, the Big Old Woman herself. The quality is pretty good, sharp and with good lighting.
TFS, regards, Ivan

Hello Gary,
The quality is ok with the clarity, good colour and details here!
thank you for your effort to captured this cuttie in a great pov to show us
thanks for sharing
greeting from NZ
Tony

This is one of those photos I click on and say "Wow - COOL!" Great shot - great expression on this fellows face Great detail in the feathers. Great colors. :)

  • Great 
  • mikou Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 840 W: 67 N: 1311] (5269)
  • [2007-06-29 6:10]

Hi Gary.
Beautiful shot.I think so quality is good.You've captured this owl in perfect pose and with very good details in plumage and in his beautiful eyes too.Very good natural colors and his natural environment.Well done.
TFS,with greeting Milos.

A really beautiful photo...The detail and clarity are amazing...The colors are fantastic against the woodland BG...Very well done...TFS
Jim

Wow! What luck you had in capturing this one eh? A very nice find. I have only seen a few owls in my life....and usually hiding or lighting no good. Your lighting is fine and colors are wonderful!

Bob

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2405 W: 94 N: 5564] (17694)
  • [2007-06-29 10:56]

Hello Gary,
Good photo of this Eagle Owl. Sharp with a lot of details. Lucky that there are no branches in the way. Good focus and natural colours.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • demeve Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 604 W: 11 N: 1631] (5995)
  • [2007-06-29 11:50]

Hello Gary, fantastic close-up, the subject is very sharp and well composed, great colors and BG, beautiful plumage...

Congratulation in capturing a fine picture!

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1515 W: 18 N: 3165] (11638)
  • [2007-06-29 12:27]

Hi Gary

I would love to see one of these in the wild! You made the best of this opportunity with this shot. Amazing details, well composed and great eye contact. Amazing considering the conditions for the shot. Great work

TFS

Karan

Hi Garyá
Very good shot of bubo!
TFS,
Serge

Hi Gary,
Beautiful image of this owl! Great sharpness and details considering the distance you were from it! Good natural colours and the eyes are lovely! Well done and TFS
Cheers Tina :-)

Hi Gary

What a majestic bird! This is a very nicely composed shot.

TFS
Ravi

Hello Gary this is a beauty awsome find and well done considering the circustances, well composed and good focus with fine catchlights, superb work! rgds Necip.

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2007-06-30 8:41]

Hi Gary,

A fantastic capture!! She really does look big. Beautiful orange eyes, wonderful markings, and a great face. Looks as if you captured her attention.


Jane

bonjour gary
j'aime cette photo car elle est reussie ets aussi parce que l'on ne vois pas souvent ces oiseaux.
la netteté est bonne et la pose de l'oiseau est bonne aussi,on pourrait croire qu'il pose.
laurent

Hi Gary
What a interesting looking Eagle Owl, I love his colours and his tuffs of feathers on his head as well as the way he is gazing into your lens. Awesome!
TFS Janice

  • Great 
  • Debz Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 516 W: 0 N: 846] (3307)
  • [2007-10-02 3:07]

Hi Gary, magnificent shot of this Owl, great catch and pov with him looking straight at you with those stunning eyes. Sharpness and detail on the Owl is wonderful, colours and light perfect. Well caught. Lucky you in wonderful Scotland!
tfs
debz

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