Great Horned Owl at 400mm, 700mm and Closer...6 Images

I run out of adjectives to describe these Gary . They are I-CHI-BAN!
Love the head shots as well as the enviromental portraits. Of course, the subject was very special. Great job Gary.

Congrats on these, Gary! Such a stunning owl, a bit sleepy looking maybe, but stunning! What an adventure

I love them!! The close up of the eyes makes it look like a fake owl.. with plastic eyes.
Amazing shots. Can't wait to get a 400 L someday.

Great shots!!! Was the bird on drugs!!! It looks a bit silly!

Too cool... I love owls ... they are fun to shoot and it makes you feel good to find these sneaky fellas too... Great job ....

Stunnig Gary,Absolutely Stunning!! Thanks for sharing.

STUNNING pictures...check out the "tallons"....LOL

Wow...stunning shots Gary. They are all fantastic. Excellent work as always...and again WOW.

Blackburnian wrote in post #2010363
First to reply on these stunning shots? Wow!

All are 1st class with great lighting, clarity, contrast and background and great unobstructed view of the owl. Very, Very Nice with the 1st one being my fav for the environment, composition and the fact you can actualy make out the leaves in the back. Brings the viewer in the owls elements.

PS: So when are you pickin up the 500F4?

Thanks Marc...you got there first and nice of you and Dan to test the waters As for when am I getting a 500 F4....don't have to ...see Ted's response

canondslruser.......thanks and I know what you are saying. I think the early hours are more likely to give you an opportunity for the open eyes before he/she gets too comfortable and dozes off. I am seriously considering a re-visit Friday morning myself.

Ted......thanks a bunch and any time you want to borrow the 400 you are welcome

Rob.......thank you for the comment and to answer your question....yes the 500mm does shine through.....very nicely.......yes its expensive.........yes its worth it........yes I want one

Drug free and wild as the wind....Owls have that look and this one was starting to doze off and it was probably hunting and feeding overnight. Thanks for the comment.

And a big thank you to everyone else who looked and commented including
Paul, Ed, dylix, Tony, Calicokat, Reyno, Keith, Alan, Solpics, CDS, Fee, Bea, Mikelangelo, Erik, Reigh, Superdiver and Sindri (why is your Puffin with the eels not in the Wildlife Photographer of the year contest?)

Here is a good bye look although it is one of the first shots taken while I was in the river.

you are a god among men...


awsome shots...

thor67 wrote in post #2016059
you are a god among men...

awsome shots...

Just lucky to be able to find this owl, lucky be with a buddy who was insistant on crsossing ( peer pressure works ) happy to have the right equipment and passionate about this great hobby. Thanks for the awsome compliment though thor ( god of thunder if I recall )

awesome shots gary!! It's all been said already.

Reyno wrote in post #2011986
Sharp, detailed and crisp even with 1.4X TC and cropped. Outstanding job Gary.

Hi Gary,
I agree with Reyno very sharp and crisp especially with the 1.4X TC as often I think you can tell a 1.4 was use, not in this case, good angle too.
Regards,
Clare

Great shots Gary. I'm sorry that I missed all of the excitement. I hope to get out with you guys again very soon.

Gary Fairhead wrote in post #2015052
canondslruser.......thanks and I know what you are saying. I think the early hours are more likely to give you an opportunity for the open eyes before he/she gets too comfortable and dozes off. I am seriously considering a re-visit Friday morning myself.

The Great Horned owl was nowhere to be seen today. That doesn't mean it still isn't on the island.....maybe just doing a better job of hiding (it was sunny today).