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Barred Jungle Owlet


Barred Jungle Owlet
Photo Information
Copyright: Smitha Komath (smitha) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 348 W: 73 N: 1165] (4409)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-05-29
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D200, 300mm AF-S F4 Nikkor
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/60 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-09-24 10:33
Viewed: 4173
Points: 27
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hello friends,
It has been some time since I posted any pictures in TN. Weather has not improved here and I am not able to go out and take pictures these days. Nowadays weather is proving to be very unpredictable. I am hoping for the sun to shine soon.
I see my friends in TN have posted a lot of beautiful pictures. I will soon be commenting on them. Seems like I have a lot of catching up to do.:)
Today I am posting the picture of a Barred Jungle Owlet or Glaucidium radiatum.It is a frequent visitor to our Rubber plantation but very difficult to photograph. First, these birds are very good at camouflage. They sit on the end of dried branches on trees in such a way that it can be easily mistaken as the part of the dried branch. Second, it flies off as soon as it understands that it has been spotted. Sometimes they give me creeps by the way their eyes follow me. The message is very clear-"I SEE YOU".

This picture was taken sometimes back when I spotted it sitting on a tree in our compound. It allowed me a few shots before it took to wings .The day was cloudy and the camera was hand held, so I got only two sharp shots. I had made some adjustments to the levels in Photoshop and also used Neat Image to remove the noise. I hope you will like it.

Some information on the bird:
Barred Jungle Owlet is a small squat owlet. It's dark brown above and dark brown and white closely barred under parts. The sexes are alike. They are seen singly or in pairs in open deciduous forest. These birds are crepuscular and nocturnal. But apparently they are little inconvenienced by sunlight and so are frequently on the move in daytime .But they prefer to hunt for food at dusk or night because at day time they are often chased by birds like crows and mynas. They feed mainly on beetles and other insects. They also eat small lizards, mice and chameleons.
The feathers of the owls are so soft that however keenly we listen to it we can not hear any sounds of their wing flaps. This helps the owl to listen to the smallest sounds produced by the preys. Though they have good eyesight, they rely more on their ears than on their eyes.
Their nesting season is chiefly March to May. Nests are natural tree hollows usually unlined.
Thanks for stopping by.
Regards,
Smitha.
Tobias__Ortmann, fartash, uleko, bobcat08, japiey, Argus has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Tobias__Ortmann: hismitha 1 09-24 20:34
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Smitha.
First of all.. welcome back. It was long long time, we missed your pictures in TN. Today am your neighbour in TN. Good shot of the Owl, and a rare speicies, out in the day time. The picture is over sharpenned and a little bit pixelited. No problem. Your efforts are worth praising. Hope to see many more of your pictures soon.

Hi smitha
I looking forward to see you here ,too
Nice picture
good colours and nice pov
the sharpness could be better but good job
Toba

hi smitha
good job
very good colors
very good focus but the picture is to much noisy!!
aleks ;)
best regards

  • Great 
  • Arjun Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 358 W: 7 N: 1237] (7593)
  • [2007-09-24 10:49]

hi,
superb picture of this owlet...great portrait...great picture.
tfs

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2007-09-24 10:57]

Hello Smitha,
There aren't much photo's of this Owl. A bit noisy and a bit more contrast maybe. But I'm glad with this photo with a good focus, POV and composition.
Regards,
Peter

Smitha, Back with a bang? Excellent. I like the way the branches are criss-cross without affecting the owl.

- Murali Santhanam

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2007-09-24 12:37]

Hello Smitha,
It's really good to see you back and I do hope the weather will improve so that you'll be able to get out more with your camera. This is a beautiful capture of the Barred Jungle Owlet that can't be easy to photograph!
I like its pose and the typical staring Owl look! Considering the circumstances I think it is an excellent image.
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

Hello Dear Smitha
After a long time, a great shot of this Owl,
Perfect focusing,lighting and composition,
Welldone, Keep it up :o)

Good Luck
Fartash

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 988 W: 4 N: 3277] (14761)
  • [2007-09-25 4:36]

Smith, Welcome Back to TN. Lovely image and now you know what you are missing. Excellent eye catch. Beautiful Shot Ganesh

Quite a good shot of this small owlet. Good eye contact, he certainly sees you.

Chris

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1772 W: 36 N: 5597] (18598)
  • [2007-09-26 0:28]

Hi Smitha,
Feels nice to see you back after such a long time. Hope everything is alright.
This is an outstanding shot with such sharp details and marking on its plumage. Fantastic eye contact and it really gives you a special look. Superb lighting and exposure and a great pose captured here amidst a natural environment. Excellent POV and very nicely composed. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

Hello Smitha,

Again a splendid photo from that Barred Jungle Owlet. Wonderful capture. Natural colors. What a eyes and what do you think about the claws. Pfff. Sharp with fine details. Good POV and BG. Nice composition. Have a nice weekend. Regards and TFS Bob

Hello Smitha.

a good catch !!
sharp, detailed and those eyes staring makes me afraid too :)
congrats, dear friend.

jean paul

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2007-10-21 22:58]

Hello Smitha,
Nice capture of this Barred Jungle Owlet, A species that came to our hotel at night in Goa, but that I never saw during the day.
This shot is sharp with good lighting and colours is a fine composition in its natural environment.
Thanks for sharing this,
Best wishes, Ivan

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