Natural High Key; Owls in Snow

[NorthernFocus]

It seems that Manfred and I agree on a preference for shots of snowy owls taken in the snow that result in natural high key images. So here are some of what are IMO the best of the lot from my recent excursion to Ontario.

1) These owls definitely use a stealth approach when they dive on prey(usually mice/voles during winter). They come in low and fast and glide the last 20 meters or so. By staying low they stay out of the line of sight of the animal whose eyes are so low to the ground. The straight in approach minimizes their profile and reduces relative motion as does holding the wings rigid. And on top of all that their feather are of a unique design that totally dissipates any wind noise or noise when they flap. I have to think that a mouse's first sign of trouble is two large yellow eyes suddenly appearing at point blank range.

D810, 500mm f4, 1/1250s, f5, ISO1600


The next three shots are from one series of an owl taking a mouse near a dairy barn.

D500, AFS 80-400mm, 1/1250s, f5.6, ISO1000

2) The bird launches from a small rock pile.



3) Eyes locked on target.



4) Off with the catch which will be gulped down whole. And hurrah, a FF image with no clipped wings for once.



5) This one isn't what I'd call high key but it's my memorial shot of the trip. The cool colors are intentional. Not everyone's cup of tea but fits my memory of that day.

D500, AFS 80-400mm, 1/1000s, f5.6, ISO1250

[Manfred M]

More great shots Dan!

I particularly like #3 as we rarely get to see images of one of these birds so close to their intended meal.

#4 with the feathered legs showing so well is very impressive too.

[tbob]

I am with Manfred on #3 A fantastic shot. And I like the last one for the environmental context, really captures the feel of a snowy cold day

[Donald]

Just a treat to be able to view these images.

[Artshot]

Beautiful shots.

[skitterbug]

Your work is facinating! Love the snowy shots! #2, #3, and #4 are it for me in this group! The take off, the spotted meal, the catch with tail of the meal flapping! Wow! This is a beautiful bird!

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for the comments, folks. Glad you enjoyed the post. As a general rule I practice ETTR and this shoot was no exception. Doing so resulted in some of these shots being so light that chimping them in the field was difficult. All I could do was zoom in on the eye and if it was sharp it got kept, if not deleted. I had no idea what I had content wise until I got home and had time to start processing. This particular series is my favorite of the lot.

[Wavelength]

Superb images as usual

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks, Nandakumar. Glad you liked them.

[billtils]

Superb. My personal votes go to #1 and 3.

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for the comment, Bill. Nos.1 and 3 are my faves as well and perhaps my favorites of the entire shoot.

[terrib]

These are also wonderful. I love them all, but #3 is particularly awesome with the mouse in the shot.