Saw-Whet Owl Photo

Photographer’s Note

This is a Saw-whet owl that was enjoying his caugh dinner on the sea-wall near English Bay in Vancouver last year. I posted a similar shot on TN last year, and have been revisting a few of my old photos for posting.

It just so happens I had my camera that day, and my wife and I walked towards a group of people who were obviously enthralled with something. This chap was sitting no more than 8 feet from us under a tree. I believe he has a mouse in his claws. He certainly didn't mind as I unloaded 15 shots over about 10 minutes. After that, we left him to enjoy his dinner. Quite a sight.

Don

danielswalsh, jaywalker, bakes888, axiotea, rnutball, lilimih33, Mondaychild, renerob, worldcitizen, john_c, Salma, Elaine_Blath, tigra, inuit66, vagabondtravels has marked this note useful

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MIG13 (0) 2007-01-11 23:39

Hi, Donald! A very nice capture! The owl's eyes are really impressive! Great colours and sharpness! TFS! Miguel.

Roly (1948) 2007-01-11 23:48

Precisely focused, nicely framed, with a very appealing subject, it really has everything it needs in order to be an outstanding image. I am impressed.

danielswalsh (13295) 2007-01-11 23:50

AWESOME! Well done Don!

Those eyes are simply amazing! All the years I lived in Canada- I've never seen an owl in the wild (nor in Singapore).
Excellent sharpness and color, and the DOF has provided you with a nice bokeh.

Great work Don, keep those eyes peeled and looking up!
- Dan

jaywalker (12186) 2007-01-11 23:56

Hi Donald, A brilliant capture of a magnificent bird, excellent eyes, sharp with great colour, kind regards Wilson.

bakes888 (18055) 2007-01-11 23:58

Hi Don. Wow great photo. Beautiful sharp and colourful eyes and lovely soft bokeh. Perfectly composed in a natural setting also. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.

axiotea (15869) 2007-01-12 0:41

Hi Donald,
A fine compo well detailed with the Saw-whet owl and his beautiful yellow/orange eyes perched on the branch with the little prey in his claws. The needle-pine add a nice touch to your compo. It goes to my theme "more fav.pictures".
Cheers,
Marilyn

Csilla (1780) 2007-01-12 0:57

Hi Donald!
Very good capture! Your photo is very sharp and the colors are beautiful.
You are very lucky, you could see it up close.
Thanks for sharing!
Csilla

mewot (69) 2007-01-12 1:04

awesome ! especially the eyes !

tibervince (781) 2007-01-12 1:17

Fantastic capture Don. I love those eyes staring at us. The blured colors behind the owl is stunning.
Thanks a lot!
Vincent

Kirych (2696) 2007-01-12 1:43

Great portrait, Donald!
Excellent moment, DOF and colors.
TFS. Tanya.

Mondaychild (1513) 2007-01-12 2:11

Hi Donald,

a wonderful photo of this wonderful animal. Good composition, fine colors, impressive sharpness!

Nicou (43737) 2007-01-12 7:11

Hello,

Très belle image, ces yeus orange-jaune qui vous fixe, on dit l'eoil jaune.
Barvo.

Nicou

renerob (601) 2007-01-12 12:06

Hi Donald,
What a excellent shot, those eyes are just Brilliant, the sharpness & colour is superb, very well captured & well done indeed Donald, Excellent.
Regards Irene

lilimih33 (9870) 2007-01-12 15:55

Hello Donald!
Really great shot! Beautiful owl! I don't like this blood..., but the shot is excellent! Colours, detail, sharpness, just perfect!
Very well done!
Lili

gramma (3519) 2007-01-12 16:06

Hi Donald,

Very excellent portrait of this owl. The depth and the color of his glance are very impressing. Perfect picture !

Christophe

worldcitizen (2189) 2007-01-12 18:12

Hello Donald,
I love birds, and this owl is stunning! Your photo has excellent sharpness and framing. The pine needles and the tree branch are a perfect foreground and backdrop for this wonderful scene of nature. I think that owl knew exactly what you were doing, and he was looking right at you! :-)

PJE (19333) 2007-01-12 22:36

Well Good Evening Donald. I must say from 8 feet away you certainly were able to capture a wonderful photo here. Amazing lighting and excellent details captured. I also like this owl's expression. I think its saying to you.. "You rascal human!!Leave me alone to enjoy my meal and stop flashing that camera at me!!" Very good photo Don! Thanks for sharing!

john_c (24635) 2007-01-13 10:46

Hi Don,
A most impressive capture, and given the vintage of this shot, one wonders what other treasures you have been holding back! The lighting and exposure level are just perfect, as is the sharpness and clarity overall. The sprig of grass on his perch enhances. First rate work, Don. Congratulations on this one.
John

Salma (1276) 2007-01-13 17:25

Your Lucky !!! Unbeleivable eyes!!!
Such a great shot... and a great note.

jossim (1394) 2007-01-14 8:06

Excellente photo,le regard est percant et la composition parfaite.
Merci!
joseph

Boots (475) 2007-01-16 2:09

Don,

This is beautiful... the eyes are so brilliant.

Andrew.

Elaine_Blath (6170) 2007-01-16 3:44

Hi Don,

that must have been great experience, something similar happened to me and a fox was included...great shot, the looks in his eyes is so bad ;-) well done

Regards, Ivana

mdetay (4265) 2007-01-17 19:21

Hi Don,
Super shot. You where lucky to stend there for 10 mn.
Excellent colors and POV. Congratulation.
Cheers from Hong Kong.
Michel

tigra (2966) 2007-01-19 13:30

Hello Donald
Amazing capture of the owl! Its eyes are very intent and penetrating.
Katia

inuit66 (659) 2007-01-22 16:38

Hi Donald. This great shot caught my eye in the thumbnails right away. Perfect - sharpness in center motive, colors, contrast and very nice crop. Frame is also fine. I like this photo a lot, extremely clear shot. TFS. Regards Jens

Claudine (0) 2007-01-27 18:05

Hello Donald,
This is a stunning picture. I like this POV, composition and great details. Its eyes are really impressive. This is a great shot! Well done!
Claudine

vagabondtravels (6097) 2007-03-20 5:56

Hi Donald

Wow very sharp and great focus. You really have captured this owl in his natural environment. Good dof. Well done.
Ben

donluicu (23877) 2007-03-27 12:40

wow
extraordiary capture...
it looks so peaceful..
congrats

honestly

regards

loic