This American Barn Owl photo was taken on an early December morning, there was heavy, dismal fog and at times a light snow was falling. The hoar frost was still clinging to the feathers and the facial disc of the owl on the marsh at Farmington Bay WMA.
Frost covered American Barn Owl in a freezing fog – D200, f7.1, 1/125, ISO 320, +0.3 step EV, 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited.
In processing the image I specifically left it with low light, low contrast and minimal saturation to convey the foggy mood that was present at the time the image was created. Over processing this image would have introduced noise at unacceptable levels and destroyed the mood the fog created. In most cases I don’t fight the light, I work with it.
The American Barn Owls in northern Utah have to contend with low temps, snow, hoar frost and long winter nights. This makes it hard for them to survive through the winters at times because hunting in deep snow is a challenge for them.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to view more of my American Barn Owl photos plus facts and information about this species.