Two baby owls

Phranquey · Apr 3, 2008

Stopped by the nest again today, and the second one finally poked his head up to take a look.

LaFoto · Apr 4, 2008

Awwww!
This is such a cute, cute photo! They look like toy owls at this stage. So fluffy. Their nest is in a very nice setting, ideal for nice compositions of your photos!

ShoeBacca · Apr 4, 2008

Beautiful! I think it's a shame that each of the owls has an eye obscured (by the other owl and the tree), but that's what you get with animals. I'm not criticising at all, just remarking on the difficulty of composition when your subject has a mind of its own!

That said, it's a very good photo and I really like that you almost feel a sense of wide-eyed wonder from the owls like you would from a young child!

Very well done

Chris.

TCimages · Apr 4, 2008

wow, you're so lucky to have access to this! Awesome capture. I think I would have to climb a nearby tree and camp for a while.

ShoeBacca · Apr 4, 2008

Well, I've looked at this picture some more and decided I like the candid feel to their obscured eyes, it also makes them look more timid and gives more character to the owls.

I also really like your composition; the way the photo is cut across diagonally by the tree appeals to me

I did notice the focus seems to be sharpest on the tree, not the owls faces - was this intentional?

All the best!

Chris.

airgunr · Apr 4, 2008

Well done! Excellent capture. It's a rare opportunity

Antarctican · Apr 4, 2008

How thrilling to see those cute fluffballs peering down at you! (The second one is noticeable smaller. Hope he's getting his fair share of the grub!)

skiboarder72 · Apr 4, 2008

wow great capture!

Lyncca · Apr 4, 2008

This is amazing! They are so cute!

Phranquey · Apr 4, 2008

Thank you very much for the comments....they're hard to come by around here. :lol:

Yes, I realize how lucky I am to have found this. It is hard enough to find owls in the wild, but to find their nest is a real treasure.

I did notice the focus seems to be sharpest on the tree, not the owls faces - was this intentional?

No, this was not intentional, and I caught that when I was going throught the downloaded pictures. I checked my camera, thinking I had left it in dynamic focusing because I was attempting some in-flight shots of some other birds earlier in the day. I had indeed changed it back to single focal point, and I know I had them square in that box, so all I can attribute this to was the wind. It was blowing pretty good while I was out, and their feathers are more fuzz than anything else right now, so I think it was that movement that softened them up a bit.

I think I would have to climb a nearby tree and camp for a while.

Funny, you read my mind. There is a tree about 15' away from these guys, and it is about 2' in diameter, but no good place to sit. So what did I do...I just went and bought a tree stand to strap to the tree, and I have the camo netting from my bird blind. My wife thought I was nuts, "But, Honey, this is a rather rare opportunity...." I haven't tried it out yet, as these guys are still just sitting in the nest, not doing much but looking around, and won't be "branchers" for a little while yet.