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Spectacled Owl


Spectacled Owl
Photo Information
Copyright: Ricardo Kuehn (ryyck) Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 24 W: 0 N: 176] (994)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon A60
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-10-25 12:18
Viewed: 1549
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 26
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Spectacled Owl - Pulsatrix perspicillata

Description: Spectacled Owls are dark brown with a whitish to yellow-ochre belly, a white patch on the front of the neck and a dark brown belt across the breast. White "spectacles" around their yellow eyes give them their name.
A juvenile has the adult markings in reverse - a white head with black mask, and may take several years from hatching to attain full adult plumage.

Habits: An unsociable bird. Generally nocturnal, with activity normally begining after dusk and continuing to dawn. Roosts singly by day in trees with dense foliage. Most vocal on calm, moonlit nights.

Size: Length 43-46cm (17-18")
Weight male 453-680g (16-24oz) female 680-906g (24-32oz)

Voice: A series of knocking or tapping sounds with a poping effect "PUP-pup-pup-pup-po", each successive note being lower and weaker, and the rhythm quicker as the series progresses.
The Female also has a hawk-like scream "ker-WHEEER", which has been likened to a steam whistle.

Hunting & Food: Spectacled Owls eat small mammals including mice and the occasional possum or skunk, insects, spiders, many Caterpillars, bats, birds up to the size of Jays, crabs and frogs.
They use a branch to perch on and scan the surrounding area. When prey is located, they drop with a swift pounce. Insects are snatched from foliage.

Breeding: In Costa Rica, eggs are laid in the dry season, or at the start of the wet season. Spectacled Owls nest in tree hollows and lay 1-2 eggs, which are incubated by the female for about 5 weeks. Chicks leave the nest for surrounding branches at about 5-6 weeks, well before they can fly, but depend on their parents for up to a year once fledged. Often, only one chick will survive.

Habitat: Occurs more frequently in dense tropical rainforest with mature, large trees, including forest edges. Also found in dry forest, treed savannah habitat, plantations and open areas with scattered trees.

Distribution: Mexico, Central America, Northern two-thirds of South America.

Status: Generally uncommon, but locally common in areas such as Costa Rica, Colombia and the Amazon.

Source: http://www.owlpages.com/owls.php?genus=Pulsatrix&species=perspicillata
fartash, Juyona, radz, Pentaxfriend, BEHRAD, lovenature, lizbrown, Bufo, coasties has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello
Very good sharp picture. Nice composition. But the contras between the bird and buckgrund could be better. The buckgrund is little bit to dark.
Best wishes
Krzysztof

  •      
  • fartash Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 1013 W: 54 N: 1431] (5161)
  • [2006-10-25 12:31]

Hello Ricardo
Very nice shot of Owl,
Beautiful colors and focusing,
Good work

Regards
Fartash

Very nice image, great details and good color, but the background is too dark for your subject. Excellent eye detail.

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2256 W: 10 N: 2618] (15517)
  • [2006-10-25 13:25]

Excelente y brillante disparo, me gusta esa mirada, perfecta nitidez... excelente amigo... saludos

  • Great 
  • radz Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 603 W: 11 N: 616] (3404)
  • [2006-10-25 13:44]

Fantastic shot,what a look it gives.DOF &POV are superb..

  • Great 
  • wuta Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 856 W: 2 N: 617] (2142)
  • [2006-10-25 14:36]

Hello Ricardo , A Great portret shot from the owl beauty eyes , colours details pov compositie , good job tfs ,Greetings Teunie .

fantastic portrait, it looks very intelegent. TFS Ori

Hi Ricardo,

WoW.. Fantastic shot of this beautiful owl.

superb sharp, details, colours, POV and composition
exellent BG

TFS Thijs

Hello Ricardo
What a beautiful portrait of this unique looking Spectacled Owl. Excellent detail and colours. His golden coloured eyes are just stunning and with so much detail.
Well framed and good notes.
TFS Janice

  • Great 
  • Bufo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 422 W: 73 N: 984] (4241)
  • [2006-10-26 1:55]

Hi Ricardo,
great portrait of this owl. DOF, composition and sharpness are good. Well done,
JAcob

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3064 W: 231 N: 6154] (21022)
  • [2006-10-26 2:53]

What a handsome looking owl, Ricardo.
Those big yellow eyes are magnificent.
Very sharp details and strong colors.
Great POV and eye contact.
TFS. : )

Hi Ricardo

Congrats on an excellent portrait. Lovely clarity and good sharp details. Perfect eye contact. Very nice work. TFS.

Hi Ricardo,
Great portrait.
Good work!!
Pity no meta...
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1515 W: 18 N: 3165] (11638)
  • [2006-10-26 13:47]

Beautiful details. The eyes are fabulous. Great colours, POV and composition. Nice BG as well

PT all out today

TFS

Karan

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