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Saw Whet Owl


Saw Whet Owl
Photo Information
Copyright: Doug Brown (dB_grafix) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 479 W: 9 N: 624] (3019)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-02-13
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D200, AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-E, Digital RAW
Exposure: f/8, 1/250 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Map: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-02-17 0:16
Viewed: 630
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) is a small owl.

Adults are 18cm long with a 43 cm wingspan. They have a large round light grey face with brown streaks, a dark bill and yellow eyes. The underparts are pale with dark streaks; the upper parts are brown with white spots.

Their breeding habitat is coniferous forests, sometimes mixed or deciduous woods, across North America. They nest in a tree cavity, usually one created by a woodpecker. They will sometimes use nesting boxes.

Some are permanent residents; others may migrate south in winter or move down from higher elevations.

These birds wait on a low perch at night and swoop down on prey. They mainly eat small rodents; on the Pacific coast, they may also eat crustaceans and aquatic insects. Like many owls, these birds have excellent hearing and exceptional vision in low light.

This bird was named for its call, which is said to resemble a saw being sharpened with a whetstone. It is fairly common, but not always easy to spot.

Thank you for the many comments/critique on the previous barn owl.
CeltickRanger, SelenE, claudine, Debz has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • fthsm Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 144 W: 50 N: 418] (2532)
  • [2008-02-17 0:37]

I know, how difficult to find an Owl with a neat frame. Nice picture, TFS.

  • Great 
  • Tabib Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 117 W: 5 N: 112] (554)
  • [2008-02-17 0:47]

Hi Doug,

The framed with leaves and branches make this owl more mysterious.
TFS and cheers,
/Tabib/.

Hi Ddoug,

Yes indeed, it's very hard to capture them as they are most of the time hiding in the cedar trees. You did great here by capturing beautiful yellow eyes in this light. Well done!

Lise

hello Doug

each time i see those birds, i have the impression that
they are whering eyeglasses, lovelly close-up shot
with a lovelly eye contact with your camera lens, TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1427 W: 128 N: 5252] (23221)
  • [2008-02-19 4:45]

Hello Doug, great eye contact! The sharpness and exposure are fine, well done and thanks!

Mario

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2426 W: 63 N: 4002] (12926)
  • [2008-02-20 1:38]

Hi Doıg,
I liked the eye contact and the way he's staring at you :o)
TFS
Greetings,
Selen

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-02-21 18:42]

Hello Doug

Beautiful capture of this Owl's lovely yellow eyes.
The focus is sharp with excellent detail.
Excellent POV and DOF.
The plumage shows well.
Great natural setting.
TFS
Rob

  • Great 
  • cako Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 471 W: 0 N: 511] (2465)
  • [2008-02-24 13:44]

Hi Doug
this is very nice eyes
very good sharp
well done.

Hi Doug,
I have photographed this tinny owl only once and I was quite impressed by this encounter. Those guys are always hiding and are not easy to spot indeed. This is an impressive eye contact! It has most beautiful yellow eyes and this is a sharp and well exposed capture. Your notes are interesting as I didn’t know about the origin of its name :) … Thanks,
Claudine

A beautifully photographed Saw-whet Owl! What a great setting to photograph this wonderful little owl!

  • Great 
  • Debz Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 582 W: 0 N: 866] (3283)
  • [2008-03-05 3:29]

Hi Doug, a wonderful catch of this unusually named Owl. You caught stunning light of those huge eyes here. Nicely framed in the tree and clear, crisp and sharp with good detail. Excellent close up.
Sorry not around much at the moment
tfs
debz

A wise old owl sat in an oak,
The more he heard, the less he spoke;
The less he spoke, the more he heard;
Why aren't we all like that wise old bird?

Great shot...wonderful details. Such a candid shot....straight-forward and clean. Love it!

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