Ferruginous Pygmy Owl


Posted by Lillian Roberts on Mon Oct 20, 2003 9:21 pm

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Some time back I mentioned we'd had the chance to photograph this cutie in Mexico last May, and someone requested that I post a photo. I know the bright spots will bother some, but it's the best shot I have of one of these guys.

Here, on the last evening of the trip, as the light faded, I "went out to finish off a roll of film" but took the digital along, "just in case." I was shooting the GF Woodpecker nesting in the opposite side of this tree trunk, when I saw the FPO (which we had photogrpahed earlier in daylight) leave her nest and land in the tree behind it.

Canon D30, 500 f/4 IS, 2x TC. ISO setting 800, f/8 at 1/125s. Flash at -1 2/3 -- which I notice was enough to blow out the closest white patch. Oh, well.

I filled up a 1G Sandisc every day on that trip.
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by AlexC on Mon Oct 20, 2003 9:33 pm
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Wonderful face and a lovely expression, exposure looks on the money but for the hot spot on his chest, a nit it's not!!, He looks slightly soft, Maybe a few cycles of USM at 100/0.2/0 could help , the bright spots are a tad distracting but not by much!!! Very nice, Congrats!!! 8)
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by Bill Whala on Mon Oct 20, 2003 9:42 pm
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The cute face and endearing pose are what draws my eye in this image. Is it possible to overlay a linear conversion to bring the white spot back into play?

This owl is so incredibly cute. :)
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by stevebein on Mon Oct 20, 2003 9:53 pm
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I was there and am jealous. I only got a shot of the FPO in the nest. What an opportunity. IT is "cutness allert " photo.
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by Juan E. Bahamon on Mon Oct 20, 2003 9:59 pm
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Nice picture of an elusive bird. We have some here in South Texas but very difficult to them in the open.
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by Chris Valentine on Mon Oct 20, 2003 10:03 pm
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Very cute indeed! The white spots don't really bother me but it does look like a little more USM would be helpful (as Alex has said). Nonetheless, an outstanding opportunity that you didn’t let go to waste! Nicely done.
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by Alan Murphy on Mon Oct 20, 2003 10:03 pm
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Lillian, Any shot of this bird is a good one. This one is very nice. He looks relaxed. I would sharpen it more. I would also do some of your Lillian magic on the white spot. It would be worth it. Great photo.
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by Sheri Whala on Mon Oct 20, 2003 10:50 pm
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Very cute owl! I would love to see one of these in person!
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by Dennis Olivero on Mon Oct 20, 2003 11:20 pm
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Nice going, awesome subject!
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by E.J. Peiker on Tue Oct 21, 2003 12:38 am
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A very nice shot of a beautiful bird - these guys are relatively small birds as owls go.
 

by digimies on Tue Oct 21, 2003 2:25 am
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Cute little owl. I wouldn't usm this any more, like the soft mood of the pic.
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by Carol Clarke on Tue Oct 21, 2003 3:41 am
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Sweet shot! Lovely expression on this cute little bird.

8)
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by LHays on Tue Oct 21, 2003 3:47 am
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Such a gorgeous little guy.....any shot would be worth having of him. Perhaps a little PS on the bright spot in the BG but it is still a great shot.
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by Bruce DiVaccaro on Tue Oct 21, 2003 5:35 am
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Lillian,

Nice shot. I love the head with the tilted head. A little more sharpening should make this image even better.
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by ajhand on Tue Oct 21, 2003 7:35 am
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Lillian:

What a great capture.
Just as an experiment, I put this through PS, taking the advice of some of the other posts. I cloned over the two white background spots, did some more USM, and knocked out the second catchlight in his left eye. You wouldn't believe the difference it makes. You really should give it a try. The little little lady just jumps off the screen.

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by Sandy Mossberg on Tue Oct 21, 2003 8:58 am
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What a sweet shot (double entendre), Lillian. Excellent composition. I agree wholeheartedly with AJ's suggestions. It's worth making this image as good as it can be.
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by Steve Mason on Tue Oct 21, 2003 9:21 am
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What a cutie!
I agree about it being a tad soft, but still killer in my book.
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by Neil Solomon on Tue Oct 21, 2003 10:22 am
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I wholeheartedly agree with all the comments above. This image would be well worth the effort.
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by Laura Stiefel on Tue Oct 21, 2003 10:39 am
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Hi lillian. While I agree with knocking out the bright spot I absolutely love everything else about this shot. The look on this little owls face is so precious. I thank this is excellent and would love to see it with the applied suggestions.
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by Lillian Roberts on Tue Oct 21, 2003 11:03 am
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Thanks for the comments! I may have forgotten the USM altogether, that happens to me sometimes. I'll give some thought to the idea of cloning out the bright spots (I have no clue what a linear conversion overlay is!) Funny how a couple of years ago I would have bristled at the suggestion, considering it dishonest somehow. Now, I'm not sure. For a print, it feels OK, but for posting here, it still seems misleading. I might post another pose with the changes, another day.
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