This gallery will be a recent image that I will give some details on why, how, where, when and technical data that was required for me to take this particular image. However, like many things in photography there is generally more than one way to accomplish your goal.
June 1, 2009: Owlet Surprise
It always pays to have friends, especially those that know you are a nature photographer and are always looking for new subjects for you to photograph. A good friend of mine spotted this Great Horned Owl nest in one of our local park reserves, and he called me on my cell phone and I immediately met him at the nest location.
The nest was relatively low in the tree and in an area that was relatively unobstructed. Right away I knew the best light would be in the early morning. Over the course of the next month I made about 14 trips to visit the nest site. On my third visit I did spot the little owlet under the wings of Mom. I went back a few days later and captured this image with the little owlete checking me out. On my visits I arrived pretty much at the same time, wore the same clothes, photographed from the same location. Both Owls got very used to me and on many occasions they just closed their eyes and napped. Sleeping wildlife may not make for the best imagery, but for this nature photographer I feel it is a great compliment because they are totally relaxed in my presence. A couple of weeks after this image was taken the little owlet did his branch hopping fledge and I never located it again.
Good Shooting
Tech Data:
Nikon D300
Nikon 500mm Lens w/ 1.4X
ISO 400
Aperture Priority
Matrix Metering
F 5.6 @ 1/640
EV 0
It always pays to have friends, especially those that know you are a nature photographer and are always looking for new subjects for you to photograph. A good friend of mine spotted this Great Horned Owl nest in one of our local park reserves, and he called me on my cell phone and I immediately met him at the nest location.
The nest was relatively low in the tree and in an area that was relatively unobstructed. Right away I knew the best light would be in the early morning. Over the course of the next month I made about 14 trips to visit the nest site. On my third visit I did spot the little owlet under the wings of Mom. I went back a few days later and captured this image with the little owlete checking me out. On my visits I arrived pretty much at the same time, wore the same clothes, photographed from the same location. Both Owls got very used to me and on many occasions they just closed their eyes and napped. Sleeping wildlife may not make for the best imagery, but for this nature photographer I feel it is a great compliment because they are totally relaxed in my presence. A couple of weeks after this image was taken the little owlet did his branch hopping fledge and I never located it again.
Good Shooting
Tech Data:
Nikon D300
Nikon 500mm Lens w/ 1.4X
ISO 400
Aperture Priority
Matrix Metering
F 5.6 @ 1/640
EV 0
June 1, 2009: Owlet Surprise
It always pays to have friends, especially those that know you are a nature photographer and are always looking for new subjects for you to photograph. A good friend of mine spotted this Great Horned Owl nest in one of our local park reserves, and he called me on my cell phone and I immediately met him at the nest location.
The nest was relatively low in the tree and in an area that was relatively unobstructed. Right away I knew the best light would be in the early morning. Over the course of the next month I made about 14 trips to visit the nest site. On my third visit I did spot the little owlet under the wings of Mom. I went back a few days later and captured this image with the little owlete checking me out. On my visits I arrived pretty much at the same time, wore the same clothes, photographed from the same location. Both Owls got very used to me and on many occasions they just closed their eyes and napped. Sleeping wildlife may not make for the best imagery, but for this nature photographer I feel it is a great compliment because they are totally relaxed in my presence. A couple of weeks after this image was taken the little owlet did his branch hopping fledge and I never located it again.
Good Shooting
Tech Data:
Nikon D300
Nikon 500mm Lens w/ 1.4X
ISO 400
Aperture Priority
Matrix Metering
F 5.6 @ 1/640
EV 0
It always pays to have friends, especially those that know you are a nature photographer and are always looking for new subjects for you to photograph. A good friend of mine spotted this Great Horned Owl nest in one of our local park reserves, and he called me on my cell phone and I immediately met him at the nest location.
The nest was relatively low in the tree and in an area that was relatively unobstructed. Right away I knew the best light would be in the early morning. Over the course of the next month I made about 14 trips to visit the nest site. On my third visit I did spot the little owlet under the wings of Mom. I went back a few days later and captured this image with the little owlete checking me out. On my visits I arrived pretty much at the same time, wore the same clothes, photographed from the same location. Both Owls got very used to me and on many occasions they just closed their eyes and napped. Sleeping wildlife may not make for the best imagery, but for this nature photographer I feel it is a great compliment because they are totally relaxed in my presence. A couple of weeks after this image was taken the little owlet did his branch hopping fledge and I never located it again.
Good Shooting
Tech Data:
Nikon D300
Nikon 500mm Lens w/ 1.4X
ISO 400
Aperture Priority
Matrix Metering
F 5.6 @ 1/640
EV 0