Category

Birdlife

Location

Lanarkshire, Scotland

Gear

Nikon d7500 and sigma 105mm macro lens

Description

I had been studying a pair of long eared owls in my local town over lockdown in spring. They had became quite accustomed to my presence due to my daily visits so getting close wasn't the issue. The issue was the dense conifer forest branches. I had always dreamed of getting a clear shot of a long eared owl, my favourite bird, perched on a fence post or fallen tree however no matter how many times I visited this area I never got my opportunity. Long eared owls are the most elusive and most nocturnal owl species in Britain and I soon realised that a straight out portrait of this bird would not capture the true character of this owl species. I wanted to capture the elusiveness as well as the beauty. I noticed one of the owlets was quite low in the tree so I changed my lens to my 105mm macro and crept up slowly. I focussed manually to make it easier through the branches. It took a few shots playing with the settings to get the clearest image to get it right in the poor light but I was overly happy when I finally achieved visionary goal of the beautiful deep orange eye of the owl looking through the dark green pine branches.

Photographer

Daryl Smith

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