First birds try - Owls ! (4 pics)

[Raj]

This is my first birds try & basically I have no idea how to compose for them. So any comments or suggestions are very much appriciated.
Let me know if these shots are any good.

All images shot in Av mode @iso 400, handheld with Sigma 70-200 EX HSM,& I am in love with this lens from the first day :cool:

Just in case, there are few more at my pBase gallery :)
(www.pbase.com/blue_star (http://www.pbase.com/blue_star))

BTW, anyone recongnizes these species ?


http://www.pbase.com/blue_star/image/43260825.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/blue_star/image/43260827.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/blue_star/image/43260829.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/blue_star/image/43260831.jpg

[cfcRebel]

OMG! Raj, your 1st bird shot has put my collections down the drain. Those are awesome shots! Sharp focus and nice bokeh. Is your Sigma a f2.8?

[Raj]

Yes it is, shot at f3.2 cfc. With the quality of pics this lens gives straight from camera, I dont mind its weight at all :-)
BTW I edited my post to insert pics directly rather then links. Sorry for the initial inconvinience...

[rssfhs]

The quality of these photos is really exceptional! I would suggest cropping off some of the blank space at the top to improve the composition. For example:

[mrclark321]

VERY VERY nice sharp photos.

Dan

[dkord]

The quality of these photos is really exceptional! I would suggest cropping off some of the blank space at the top to improve the composition. For example:

Yes I agree.
Even with the landscape crops, there's a lot of space that distracts from the bird.

I'm impressed with that lens, how does the feathers look at 100% crop? Does the detail hold up?

[robertwgross]

Apparently these birds are in Japan, and I have references only to North American birds.

The first three look like something from the genus Otus, or maybe the genus Bubo. I can't tell the size from these photos, so it's tough.

---Bob Gross---

[Maureen Souza]

Nice go at the owls Raj. I especially like #2.

[wolverinesr1]

wow. very, very good

[Raj]

Dan, wolverinesr1, Maureen, Thanks for your comments :-)
Glad you liked them :-)

[Raj]

Apparently these birds are in Japan, and I have references only to North American birds.

The first three look like something from the genus Otus, or maybe the genus Bubo. I can't tell the size from these photos, so it's tough.

---Bob Gross---

Thanks Bob. Actually I have no idea abt birds at all. Seems like you are quite deep into bird shooting :-)

[Raj]

The quality of these photos is really exceptional! I would suggest cropping off some of the blank space at the top to improve the composition. For example:

rss, Thanks again for taking the time to review, comment & illustrate. I will keep your advice in mind I go shooting next time/process next time :-)

[Raj]

I'm impressed with that lens, how does the feathers look at 100% crop? Does the detail hold up?

dkord, here is a 100% crop. I havent owned any other hig profile lens yet so I cant say how it compares to others, so please judge yourself & let me know your opinion too. IMO lens is impressive & even 100% crop seems very good.

[PhotosGuy]

Crop some of the top off the 3rd one & you've got an excellent shot!

[jimtfoto]

Raj:
Cool pix .. where did you shoot them? Zoo? Refuge? In the wild?

cheers,
jim

[Jesc]

Very good. I think #3 is wonderful. May be cropping the top will be a better pic.

[jimtfoto]

Apparently these birds are in Japan, and I have references only to North American birds.

The first three look like something from the genus Otus, or maybe the genus Bubo. I can't tell the size from these photos, so it's tough.

---Bob Gross---

As luck would have it, a friend just dropped off a copy of a 1978 Simon & Schuster book titled Birds. It lists only 500 or so world species, but I came across the Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo Bubo), which is similar. I'll bow to Bob's greater knowledge.
cheers,
jm

[MarkoPolo]

Really nice sharp shots. Composition could be improved a little with the above suggestions, but I would be happy with them anyday. Thanks for sharing.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Excellent shots! Very impressive :)

The coloring looks remarkably like the Eagle Owl.. including the eyes.. but I'm not 100% convinced, but I think it's a pretty good chance you are right. It may simply be a juvenile.

The shape seems oddly different.. but 90% of the shape is made up of plumage.. (they look just like chickens without the feathers :lol: ) ... so if the bird is not yet fully mature,. that alone could explain the difference in the perceived shape.. Yours simply looks "scrawny" compared to those I have seen.

http://cyberdynesystemsimaging.fotopic.net/p8337166.html

The Eagle owl is also the largest owl in existance... How big was this guy. (again this could be effected bty age and lumage to some degree.)

Where these is a zoo?

[roanjohn]

GREAT SHOTS!!!

I absolutely love the background on that 3rd photo!!!

WOW!!!!

Ro1

[HJMinard]

GREAT SHOTS!!!

I absolutely love the background on that 3rd photo!!!

I concur ... well done!

[Fotosmurf]

Great shots! Especially the first three! The fourth one seems to have a bit of an exposure problem or maybe just too much sunshine on the white feathers or too big a difference between shade and sun.
Otherwise fantastic bird-pictures!

[Raj]

Raj:
Cool pix .. where did you shoot them? Zoo? Refuge? In the wild?

cheers,
jim

Jim, niether in zoo nor in total wild. They are sort of open pets in one of the gardens I went during the golden week. So other than scratching my knees, it was quite possible to shoot them.

[Raj]

As luck would have it, a friend just dropped off a copy of a 1978 Simon & Schuster book titled Birds. It lists only 500 or so world species, but I came across the Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo Bubo), which is similar. I'll bow to Bob's greater knowledge.
cheers,
jm

Wow, you guys are real enthusiasts ! Its amazing how one hobby/passion can lead to another. Sincere thanks to both of you for looking into this.

[Raj]

The coloring looks remarkably like the Eagle Owl.. including the eyes.. but I'm not 100% convinced, but I think it's a pretty good chance you are right. It may simply be a juvenile.

The shape seems oddly different.. but 90% of the shape is made up of plumage.. (they look just like chickens without the feathers :lol: ) ... so if the bird is not yet fully mature,. that alone could explain the difference in the perceived shape.. Yours simply looks "scrawny" compared to those I have seen.

http://cyberdynesystemsimaging.fotopic.net/p8337166.html

The Eagle owl is also the largest owl in existance... How big was this guy. (again this could be effected bty age and lumage to some degree.)

Where these is a zoo?

CDS, these birds were not fully grown. I saw more mature one's too there & they look identical to what you have posted. Actually some of the more mature ones had more dark colors than your post.
The one which I shot was, umm, may be 1.5 feet ? but the big ones were almost double in size. ( I am just scanning my memory & gicing estimate figures, I didnt found the more matured ones very attaractive & so didnt shoot them)

Photosguy, Jesc, Markopolo, HJMinard, forosmurf. Thanks for your kind comments. I am gald you liked the photos :-)

[Keiffer]

Raj, way to go man. Inspirational is what that is. But a funny thing happened when I got my camera...All the birds are hiding like if I came home with a rifle or something LOL

[CyberDyneSystems]

The shots are awesome.. I failed to mention as I was too busy guessing at the age and breed :rolleyes: sorry!

Really great Shots Raj!

[Fer]

OMG RAJ!!!!!!!! GREAT pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

[Raj]

Keiffer, CDS, Fer, Thanks for your kind comments.
CDS apology is not required at all. I appriciate the time you spent on my shots.