"There's Something on my Head, Isn't There?"
Burrowing owl with a jumping spider on its head. Taken at Salton Sea. 1-2-16
Burrowing owl with a jumping spider on its head. Taken at Salton Sea. 1-2-16
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Jan, 2016Views
4181
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Awards
Chatter Award
Hero Award
Featured
Member Selection Award
Contest Finalist in Clean & Simple Photo Contest
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Magnificent Capture
Outstanding Creativity
Superior Skill
All Star
Genius
Emotions
Impressed
Top Ranks
Top 30 rank week 1
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Categories
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jessicabayless
January 30, 2016
Oh wow.... I love this. I hope that someday I can get a shot like this.
Platinum
Platinum
ParksFamilyPhotography
July 10, 2016
This is the best photo I have seen in a while!!!! he looks pissed lol
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PRO+
mariaserrano
July 11, 2016
Thank you all for your kind comments! It's been really fun to read your reactions!
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PRO+
mariaserrano
July 11, 2016
I reedited this image shortly after I uploaded it but failed to switch them out, unfortunately. The new version has much better color. Is there a way to switch them out without loosing everything that is attached to it (comments, awards...)? Anyhow, this image won 4th place in the bird category at the San Diego County Fair this year plus it also received a donated award from the American Society of Media Photographers. :D Very exciting for me!
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mariaserrano
July 11, 2016
I have the edited version on my website. Unfortunately it is a bit compressed as well. It doesn't look it's best unless it is a TIFF or PSD and it is not compressed by transfer. :(
The color does look better though. If you want to see it :
suspendednaturephotography.zenfolio.com
The color does look better though. If you want to see it :
suspendednaturephotography.zenfolio.com
dianeeweiler
July 11, 2016
Your choice of framing enhances the behaviour you've captured in the eye of the Owl. Awesome capture!
PRO+
melonynames-steel
July 11, 2016
What an absolute wonderful capture! I aspire to have a creative eye like you! :)
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Platinum
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MaryAnne306
July 27, 2016
Too funny! That owl's expression is priceless.
Great composition to capture the moment. Congratulations on being a finalist!
Great composition to capture the moment. Congratulations on being a finalist!
ErrolFW
July 29, 2016
I love this photo Every time I look at it it brings a smile. That expression just takes the cake!
jimages
September 16, 2016
I love the expression, the owl looks like he is not impressed one little bit :-)
Great capture
Great capture
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Sharna_Grahame
March 10, 2018
I love this every time it comes up I stop have a chuckle, it looks so unimpressed. Great work
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this image in Salton Sea, CA.Time
I shot this close to noon as you can see by the shadow in the owl's eye casted by it's eyelid and eyelashes. This pretty much breaks the rules as far as the best time to shoot wildlife, which is preferably the very beginning and very end of the day. In this case, it worked.Lighting
This was only natural light with no flash fill.Equipment
I used my Nikon D810 with a Nikon 500mm f.4 on a Gitzo tripod with a Wimberly gimbal head.Inspiration
Burrowing owls are greatly impacted by the use of pesticides and herbicides. Many people are not lucky enough to see them up close and enjoy their endearing personalities. Photographing them (and all wildlife for that matter) helps people appreciate them and become more aware on how our actions can either save them or destroy them. This particular shot was one of those unexpected and lucky moments. I was shooting this owl and another who was standing right next to it when suddenly the spider jumped on its face and worked its way up onto its head. I continued shooting (as I giggled), of course!Editing
This image is cropped to bring more attention to the spider. Since I was using a prime lens I couldn't zoom in to accomplish that. Some people were surprised (and not pleased) by my decision to crop almost half of the owls face and body off, but I felt that this shot really called for it making the spider stand out and producing a more dramatic expression on the owl's face. Other than cropping I opened the shadows a tad. The image I posted here on Viewbug and that you see here has evolved a bit in terms of color, vibrance, and contrast since. I submitted the improved version to the San Diego County Fair Photography exhibit and it won 4th place in the bird category and it also received a donated award by the American Society of Media Photographers. It also won Best of Show at the Inland Empire Photography Club's annual photo contest. So, feel free to unleash the artist in you and go with what YOU feel.In my camera bag
My go to gear is mostly my Nikon D500 with the Nikon 500 f.4 on my Gitzo tripod with the Wimberly gimbal head. I also carry a 1.4 tc, a Nikon D810, and for lenses I take a 40mm, an 18-300mm, and a 14-28mm.Feedback
Wildlife is certainly predictable in terms of certain behaviors like feeding, mating, and nesting. Do some research on your subject and know what is the best time of year and day to capture the behavior you seek to capture. Other times, like in this featured image, nature can be unpredictable. It may be worth it to stay put for a little (or a looooong) while...and wait for it!
