Flap flap ...

[johnd]

Over the weekend I finally got around to going thru Alison's images from our Sydney trip a couple weeks ago.
I found this which I reckon is a real cracker. She took this shot with her D70 and 150mm Sigma lens.

Permission to post obtained



Cheers
John

[zeddy]

that is a cracker of a shot the eyes are very sharp
zsolt

[bwhinnen]

She should be very proud of that! I really like it, the determination and the city background!

[Yi-P]

This is one of the best bird shots I've seen recently from the Taronga!!

Those eyes are incredible!! Plus those flapping wings blurred with the city background in 'sight'... superb!!

I would print and sell it back to the zoo...

[Alpha_7]

Hahaha, weren't the Owls great, please pass on a big thumbs up to your wife, I'll make sure Katie posts hers shortly. If you don't mind I have a shot that is similar, atleast in the pose, that I'd like to share.

http://alpha7.potatis-gallery.com/dslr/2007/Zoo%20Trip%20March/Rufus_again_DSC_4349.jpg

[hart]

Absolutely fabulous!

[Dr Jan Itor]

Brilliant! Just brilliant.

[Steffen]

I've tried my luck many times at the bird show, usually without success. But this one has got to be one of the best shots you could possibly get there. Congratulations to Alison.

Cheers
Steffen.

[stubbsy]

The eyes have it (sorry couldn't help myself). Great image by Alison who obviously had a great teacher as well

[sirhc55]

A difficult shot that your wife has captured brilliantly

[gstark]

John,

What Chris said.

Please pass on my congratulation to Alison for this shot.

[Glen]

I can only repeat what everyone has said above, fantastic

[Hudo]

Ditto all of the above... Well done great shot...

Mark

[Geoff]

Friggen hell (love that statement today)...AMAZING shot.

She's passed with FLYING colours to get such a tricky shot perfected!!

[Alex]

That's an amazing shot, John. Congratulate Alison and let her have the D200 now

Alex

[johnd]

Thanks for all the feedback. I'll pass it all onto Alison tonight. Might even be able to coax her into joining the forum.

Interesting point about selling the shot to the zoo. I don't think you're allowed to sell zoo shots unless the zoo gives you permission. Maybe the zoo would allow the zoo to buy it. But on second thoughts, probably not because I'd probably need to deal with 2 different zoo departments. I'll talk to Alison about donating the shot to the zoo.

One thing that I think I got wrong is I thought this was a Black Kite. From Craig's and Katie's posts and some other comments, it has been suggested that this is in fact a Rufus Owl.

Black Kite or Rufus Owl


Alex, a bit cheeky about the D200. I won't share that comment with Alison because she already wants the D200. That's why I was talking to Wayne about the D2Xs.

Cheers
John

[Alpha_7]

Hi John I checked the Zoo Website and this guy, is Boo the Barking Owl. We saw both him and Angus the Rufus owl. But the huge eyes make this guy the Barking Owl. Definitelly not the Kite, who is Stella and has much smaller eyes and does all the aerial acrobatics to grab food in the air. (Super hard to get a sharp shot of the kite, too unpredictable).

[johnd]

Thanks for the ID Craig.

I've had another suggestion that it's a Boobook Owl.
The Zoo say it's Boo the Barking Owl and it certainly looks like the Barking Owl in the Zoo Guide we got when we were there.

Maybe a Barking Owl and a Boobook Owl are one and the same. Especially a Barking Owl with the name Boo.

Cherers
John

[Oscar]

A truly amazing shot. Awesome timing. Well done to Alison.

Cheers, Mick

[Matt. K]

Alison...that is a valuable image and will be very easy to sell. Take care you don't give away your copyright on that one.

[gooseberry]

What everyone said...

Great timing and nicely done.