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Great Horned Owl


Great Horned Owl
Photo Information
Copyright: Bill Houghton (poppygan59) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 237 W: 0 N: 344] (2516)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05-07
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 5D, Canon EF100-400 IS L
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/1000 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2011-12-07 8:34
Viewed: 3954
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The great horned owl is the most common owl of the Americas, easily recognizable because of the feather tufts on its head. These "plumicorns" resemble horns or, to some, catlike ears.

Great horned owls are adaptable birds and live from the Arctic to South America. They are at home in suburbia as well as in woods and farmlands. Northern populations migrate in winter, but most live permanently in more temperate climes.

The birds nest in tree holes, stumps, caves, or in the abandoned nests of other large birds. Monogamous pairs have one to five eggs (two is typical), both the male and female incubate, and the male also hunts for food. Owls are powerful birds and fiercely protective parents. They have even been known to attack humans who wander too close to their young.

Like other owls, these birds have an incredible digestive system. They sometimes swallow their prey whole and later regurgitate pellets composed of bone, fur, and the other unwanted parts of their meal. Owls are efficient nighttime hunters that strike from above, and use their powerful talons to kill and carry animals several times heavier than themselves. Owls prey on a huge variety of creatures, including raccoons, rabbits, squirrels, domestic birds, falcons, and other owls. They regularly eat skunks, and may be the only animal with such an appetite. They sometimes hunt for smaller game by standing or walking along the ground. Owls have even been known to prey upon unlucky cats and dogs.
maaciejka, KOMSIS, pegos, joska has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2011-12-07 8:46]

Hello Bill,
Impressive photo of this Great Horned Owl in flight. The focus on the eyes is excellent. Beautiful colours and a good composition.
Regards,
Peter

hello Bill, great scene, with very good performance!
regards, Nasos

Hi Bill,
what a nice photo of this owl in flight. Perfect point of view. Really great composition.
Thanks for sharing,
Maciek

  • Great 
  • KOMSIS Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 820 W: 0 N: 2419] (10674)
  • [2011-12-07 10:27]

Hi Bill,
Perfect shot ..
Fine details, nice natural colors, beautiful composition and POV.
Best wishes,
Seyfi

Hi Bill,
Excellent in-flight shot!
Very good timimg, great details,
Jurek

  • Great 
  • pegos Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 222 W: 0 N: 356] (1982)
  • [2011-12-07 12:11]

Hello Bill,
great shot of this beauty! Great time tacken and focus on the eyes; really beautiful! Very well done!
Regards
Enrico

  • Great 
  • Nilson Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 488 W: 0 N: 566] (4423)
  • [2011-12-07 12:15]

Grandiosa imagem muito bem trabalhada com detalhes ótimo, qualidade e nitidez bela, meus parabéns gosto muito da composição aplicado nesta foto.
Nilson

WOW!! Fantastic action photo Bill! The composition is excellent. The focus on the eyes is very impressive.
Regards,
Christodoulos

Ciao Bill, great action shoot, fantastic inflight capture of lovely owl, fine details and splendid sharpness, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

Hello Bill,
Excellent photo of this flying owl, great sharpness and fine details!
Regards, Joska

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2791 W: 0 N: 6696] (25839)
  • [2011-12-08 1:07]

Hello Bill,
such an exciting capture of this fyling owl.
The sharpness is well retained with the clarity of its face.
Excellent presentation and what a skill you got here.
Real splendid shot, very difficult one!

Regards,
Foozi

Hello Bill,
The detail in the eyes,beak and talons,which are of course the important parts is spot on,the movement in the wings is also well captured.
A most impressive piece of work.Nice one.
Les.

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