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White Faced Scops Owl


White Faced Scops Owl
Photo Information
Copyright: Mark Oxley (MojoUK) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 65 W: 7 N: 328] (1479)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 20D, Canon EF 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/60 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2006-03-11 15:30
Viewed: 1826
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This Charming little character was captured at Marwell Zoo, Hampshire, UK. Some adjustments to levels and saturation are all the PP done on this image.

Status: Not classified as threatened

Distribution: S. Africa to edge of the Sahara

Sexually mature: 0
Approx. gestation: 25 days
Approx. nbr. of young: 3
Life span: 30

Description
Most birds have a crop - a small sac of skin, inside the throat, used for storing food. Owls are unusual in that they are the only birds that do not have a crop. They are carnivores and eat all parts of their prey. Anything that cannot be digested, such as bones and fur, is regurgitated in the form of a pellet. This pellet can be dissected to reveal what the owl last had to eat.

Owls also have very good vision, with both eyes on the front of the face. This gives three-dimensional vision and allows the birds to judge distances accurately. Contrary to popular belief, owls cannot turn their heads all the way round (through 360). They do, however, have long, flexible necks, which mean the head can be rotated through 270 - almost all the way round!

The name “scops” is derived from the Greek scopus - “see”. This was a general name for owls. The white-faced scops is sometimes called the African screech owl.

The white-faced scops lives in African savannah, ranging from S. Africa to the edge of the Sahara. They prey on insects, birds and rodents (up to small rat size).

The white-faced scops may breed in the abandoned stick nests of birds up to the size of buzzards, in tree holes or even the thorny, domed nests of buffalo weavers. They often breed on the ground in open savannah.
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • aido Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 1044 W: 156 N: 1218] (4046)
  • [2006-03-11 15:36]

Hi Mark,
Great portrait, excellent detail and colour in the eyes. The DOF is a little shallow but looking at the exif data you probably couldn't have gone any smaller with the aperture. I always stop by the owls there but they're never out while I'm there, must see me coming.
Cheers,
Adrian

  • Great 
  • klemmg Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 302 W: 40 N: 484] (1719)
  • [2006-03-11 16:24]

Cute pose you captured, I like the diagonal composition, colours are great and the red colour of the eyes with the green BG enhances the natural eye-catching effect.
Regards,
Gabi

  • Great 
  • Ina Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 111 W: 6 N: 101] (767)
  • [2006-03-11 17:06]

Wow what a fine pose and so fine red eyes... Fine details too...TFS...Ina...

Hi Mark,
I love this photo and owls in general. I think they are such wonderful animals. Anyways, I thought this photo needed a little bit more contrast so I did a ws. Hope you don't mind and like it. TFS.
P.S. I accidentally wrote the message in the ws and can't edit it. So, I have to say what I did here:
* Changed the levels a bit.
* Changed the contrast and brightness a bit.
That's all.
Regards,
Alp

fantastic shot Mark.
those eyes are amasing, very good composition great pov and a fine details very good job.
gr. jaap

  • Great 
  • wuta Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 855 W: 2 N: 617] (2142)
  • [2006-03-13 13:06]

Hello Mark , A Beautiful shot from this owl ,
good colours composity pov and his eyes ar beautyful ,
thanks ,greeting Teunie .

  • Great 
  • osse Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 962 W: 0 N: 89] (7801)
  • [2006-03-13 17:50]

Hi Mark.
Excellent detail and colour in the eyes.A Beautiful shot from this owl.
Well done TFS!
osse

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