For the last few weeks Ian Smithers and I have engaged in a high stakes weekly photo competition. With no prize but pride we have pitted town v country in an epic battle. Last week this was my (winning) offering.
Eye contact, nice wing position, soft winter grasses…
It was a cold, clear, calm evening. I saw the owl hunting around a water meadow it frequents. This is where I photographed it last summer and I tried again but it is a difficult location in terms of backgrounds and remaining concealed - there are trees along the river but you have to be clear of them to get a good shot. Instead I set up at the end of the meadow along a track.
On the approach.
The owl made a circuit of the meadow avoiding my lens then flew over adjoining farm land. I lingered for a while then it returned performing the perfect flyby - at a distance of about 40 yds. A burst of shots in the twilight and I had a very nice photo.
The light was pretty low. I was shooting at ISO3200 with my lens wide open and still only getting 1/400th sec. Just enough though to freeze the flight.
Coming into range.
The image is changed massively according to the wing position and shape. The first shot is my current favourite but I do like seeing how the shape and marking change during the beat.
Eye contact is also an important point and really strengthens the image. I was lucky with vegetation really adding to the mood and palette.
Not looking at me yet.
