Owls are usually heard so it is a treat when you actually see one. A couple of weeks ago a report came across the NVbird listserve of a North Pygmy Owl at the Davis Creek County Park, which is located between Reno and Carson. When I arrived there were a couple of other photographers there so it was easy to find the owl. I took my faster f/2.8 300mm lens since this is a wooded park and I figured that I may need a lens that had a wider aperture. When I took this shot it was dark and I couldn't see the vole in the owl's beak. This was a difficult shot because the owl was perched on the back side of the tree. This is where using single point focus helped to isolated the owl from all the branches.
Photo of the Week 43: Northern Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium gnoma) - Davis Creek Co. Park, Washoe Co. (NV)
EQ: D7200, 300mm f/2.8 Taken: 12-29-2016 at 15:16
Settings: 450 mm (35mm eqiv), 1/1000s, f/2.8, ISO110, +1/3EV Conditions: Overcast
Davis Creek County Park, Taken: 12-29-2016 at 15:57
Settings: 450 mm (eqiv), 1/1000s, f/2.8, ISO110, +1/3EV
Davis Creek County Park, Taken: 12-29-2016 at 15:54
Settings: 450 mm (eqiv), 1/1250s, f/4.5, ISO320, +1/3EV
Davis Creek County Park, Taken: 12-29-2016 at 15:57
Settings: 450 mm (eqiv), 1/1000s, f/2.8, ISO100, +1/3EV
Although most these photos were taken with the aperture wide open, the images have a very good focus depth of field and with a slightly lower shutter speed than 1/1250s or higher I usually use I was able to use a low ISO. These are the best images I have ever taken of the Northern Pygmy Owl.
Your comments are welcomed and if you have any questions about the photo or any other leave me a message.