7 weeks of ...

[Bobobird]

... nothing.

Have been away for nearly 7 weeks (returning 22nd). Non-stop torrential rains, thunderstorms on most days. Some good days and absolutely nothing. In the first 6 week all I got was one measly egret. LOL

Last Friday and Saturday, cleared somewhat and went to take a look at a resident owl that has a nest in one of the most famous trees here in Hong Kong - the Kam Tin Tree House.
http://www.timeout.com.hk/big-smog/f...est-trees.html

Not quite productive and only a couple of reasonable shots. Really poor lighting under the tree canopy and serious back lighting.

Not sure which of these 2 of #1 look better.
1.
no crop

30% crop


2.

[FootLoose]

The 2nd shot looks good to me, Bobo. Nice sharp focus, unusual perspective looking along the branch, and the greens are a nice complement to the birds colouring.

[Bobobird]

Thanks Greg. That is the mom. The 3 kids are scattered to other parts of the tree and far way as in #1. That was taken at ~300mm to frame him within the tree branches.

[deetheturk]

Lovely captures Bobo,#2 is superb!

[wilgk]

Very nice indeed

[Stagecoach]

It's No 2 for me Bobo, you managed to capture him well there and nicely framed.

Grahame

[John 2]

2 and 3 for me BoBo. Good captures.

[Shadowman]

Nice image, at least something to take away from the experience.

[Bobobird]

Thanks David, Kay, Grahame, John and John. Appreciate the kind comments.

One thing is for sure - they are not going to win any prizes hehe.

[Mike Buckley]

The second one works for me. Not one of your prize winners but definitely a keeper.

[Scouse]

Great captures, Great expressions from the owl...

Who !

[Bobobird]

Thanks Mike. I am just glad to be able to get any at all.
Look at the ISO on #2. The one time I had to move to a semi-automated mode and let the camera do some of the work.

Thanks Ken. Glad you like it.

[Wavelength]

So cute; so sweet.

[Mike Buckley]

Look at the ISO on #2.

The advantage of using equipment that has quality high-ISO capability. The manufacturers make it to be used, so we should use it when we have no other option.

[Geoff F]

The last one looks best to me, Bobo; except for that area of out of focus leaves on the right which I find distracting.

I think I would probably try a 4 x 5 ratio crop to remove some of the more distracting background. Then slightly tone done what remained in the background.

[Brownbear]

Lovely as always... Gorgeous detail and you always capture their eyes so beautifully!

#2 and #3 with Geoff's crop.

Aside... I wonder if I could persuade you to post my favourite Geese photos of yours... The group of Geese in the snow and also the single goose in the snow... They are so beautiful and I would love to see them again.

[Otavio]

Very nice, Bobo, and welcome back. I was also away during the last 2 months. I am recently back from my trip to Galápagos and I'm starting to work on the images (2 threads already started). Very nice owl! Thanks for sharing! Regards,

[Bobobird]

Thanks Nandakumar. Glad you like them.

Thanks Mike. Typical of everyone, was resisting going beyond the comfort zone of 800 for a while. Since then anything up to 10000 and they usually turn out ok. I don't mind the loss of DR but in birds there is not much anyway.

Thanks Geoff. I appreciate the cc. Will adjust as recommended.

Thanks Christina. Will post that. Not sure about single goose. I do have a single swan in the mist in b/w.

Thanks Otavio. I have seen one of your threads. Will look for the other now. At least your 2 months were not wasted. Mine were a total washout.

[bnnrcn]

I like the last one very much

[Bobobird]

Thanks Binnur. Glad you like it.