kathleenweetman
FollowWhile out taking landscapes, I got to the fence bent down to put a lens in the bag, when a loud "whoosh" startled me. As I raised my head I found myself eye to ...
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While out taking landscapes, I got to the fence bent down to put a lens in the bag, when a loud "whoosh" startled me. As I raised my head I found myself eye to eye with this young eagle owl. To run ...or to try to get an image. ?? With pounding heart and fear in the pit of my stomach, I must have clicked 3 clicks.....(I don't remember that ) He then shot off over my head .At that point I saw the huge talons...A close encounter of the best kind! Looking later I saw ME in his eye on the image. lol A selfie of a strange reflective kind.
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KayBrewer
February 22, 2015
What a story! And to still get a shot with what must have been trembling fingers!
1Ernesto
March 04, 2015
In the Front and Center Photo Contest this entry has my #1 vote. You truly have an eye for great entries.
Pjerry
March 04, 2015
Still shacking K ?
This can happen: http://youtu.be/37MNE8tOBG4
In The Netherlands we have at this moment a athletes terrorising eagle-owl.
My vote (photographer-of-the-month) for this beautiful capture.
This can happen: http://youtu.be/37MNE8tOBG4
In The Netherlands we have at this moment a athletes terrorising eagle-owl.
My vote (photographer-of-the-month) for this beautiful capture.
lizziemellis
March 08, 2015
Beautiful image..voted photographer of the month' Front & Centre and Reflective Selfies :-)
kathymuhle
May 19, 2016
The one eye stare - wonderful detail and is that your reflected in the eye? voted eagles or owls
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
I was out taking some landscapes some time ago . I decided to change settings on the camera and do some other shots, when I heard a sound across the yard. When I looked up, this wonderful owl was on the fence of the yard, right next to me. .I was shocked, as it was unexpected, since no one locally knew it was around here. He first looked straight at me. I took a couple of shots, hardly daring to breathe. Then he turned to look around. I managed some more shots. As you can see he was so close. It was as if he did not care .Next moment he was off.Time
It was around nine a.m. in the morning. It was dry and clear but not bright sunlight. I had been out from dawn trying to shoot mist, but had no success with that.So I hung about to take general landscapes.Lighting
The morning natural light was all that was needed for the shot. I felt it needed no artificial add on. I did not have a lot of time, so it was a quick adjustment and take the photos.Equipment
Shot on the Canon 5D.I had used the tripod earlier for the landscapes, but took the camera off to adjust for closer images when this guy shot out of the blue. I knew the owl would not hang about, so I had no time to do anything other than seize the moment and take the photographs. Flash was not used so the light is very natural.Inspiration
Normally I like to take landscape and portrait images. I went out to do that. But I have found that you take any chance that presents itself when you are working with your camera. I plan well and take the equipment for the shots. But I am not precious about it. Some of the images I take that I love the best, are opportunistic. As long as I remember the rules, even hand held images can work out at times.Editing
No post processing .In my camera bag
My Canon camera 5D. Also an old Canon 1100 D. I always have a few filters to cover the lenses. Sometimes I have the 55 to 250mm lens and an 18 to 125 mm one. I set them on the two cameras. I have a good tripod. I always carry spare batteries since I would hate to run out of power . I store images as soon as I can . I carry a card reader and download and back up images right away if I can.Feedback
When planning to take photos ,I try to check weather in advance so I can use that to advantage.Likewise light. Had I gone out to do a bird shot .. I expect I would have had extension tubes, so the range would be increased. However as this was simply an opportunity that arose.. I made the most of the few seconds I had with this wonderful bird. Instead of me adapting to a bird in the distance...the owl came right to me. So,expect the unexpected. Stay calm. If your camera is no longer on a tripod, then lean it on a steady wall or fence post to keep it still if you have time. And don't fear the huge talons and beak if it comes near. My tip was to "Look him in the eyes!"