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Hunter and Hunted
Hunter and Hunted
HarveyG


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Free Study 2012-11 (Advanced Editing VII)
Camera: Nikon D90
Lens: Sigma 100-300mm F/4.0 EX IF HSM for Nikon
Location: Rietvlei Nature Reserve, Gauteng, South Africa
Date: Nov 24, 2012
Aperture: f/4
ISO: 1600
Shutter: 1/800
Galleries: Animals, Birds
Date Uploaded: Nov 30, 2012

 A Marsh Owl (Asio capensis) hunting down a "Flying Ant" (Termite) during a downpour.

It was one of those days when everything came together; opportunity, experience and perseverance.
Despite days of rain I decided to go to the reserve. The termites came out in their tens of thousands seeking new homes in soft soil and the bird life after them. There was a 10-15 minute feeding frenzy but opportunities were scarce as the owls were wary of my vehicle and kept their distance. BiF is extremely challenging in poor light and heavy rain.

A 'lifer' for me, the Marsh Owl is a species of owl which is mainly a resident breeder in Africa and Madagascar. This species is part of the larger grouping of owls known as typical owls, Strigidae, which contains most species of owl. The other grouping is the barn owls, Tytonidae. Marsh Owl nests on the ground on open marshy areas, laying 2-4 eggs amongst tussocks. It hunts over open country, often by day. Its food is mainly insects, but it will take small mammals, such as rodents and birds. The Marsh Owl is 35–37 cm (14–14.5 in) in length with an 82–99 cm (32–39 in) wingspan. Also for PAW 2012.

This image is © copyrighted 2012 by Harvey Grohmann. Publication is strictly forbidden and protected by law. To obtain pricing and consent contact me via Photocommission.com

RAW to TIFF, Cropped, TL De Noise 5, Mask, Sharpen, Improve Clarity, Clean 3, Increase Saturation to Master, Green and Red (Will be interesting to see the comments if any about the saturation as I generally don't alter it, oft to my detriment on DPC). SFW.

Statistics
Place: 14 out of 203
Avg (all users): 6.6356
Avg (commenters): 7.7333
Avg (participants): 6.7126
Avg (non-participants): 6.4194
Views since voting: 1422
Views during voting: 233
Votes: 118
Comments: 28
Favorites: 7 (view)

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AuthorThread
 12/12/2012 09:57:51 AM
Sorry I'm only getting to commenting on this now. I have wanted to write for a few days already. As herfotoman said - bloody marvelous! Hunter and hunted in focus on a shallow DOF plane is never easy let alone for a BIF shot. Its hard enough with any wildlife but I can appreciate the technical difficulties here - well done on a super image!
I also like the slight blur in the wings to show the speed at which the action is happening at. Freezing the scene totally wouldnt have the same effect of speed even if you couldnt increase the shutter speed due to ISO / Aperture limitations - I think you did very well!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/10/2012 04:56:33 AM
Congrats Harvey with a great image and finish in the FS. Yes - underrated for sure. You just keep getting better at these kind of shots.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/09/2012 02:38:10 PM
the challenges most underrated picture - magnificent!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/09/2012 01:21:04 PM
Harvey this is over the top. Did not get to it in voting, but can't understand it being 15'th. The skill, the opportunity created and the result. And I'm not talking about the owl.. Hehe. Bloody marvelous.

Message edited by author 2012-12-09 13:33:15.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/09/2012 08:20:30 AM
This is beautiful. I love that you also caught the dragonfly in the picture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/08/2012 06:07:26 PM
This image is AMAZING.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/08/2012 06:05:57 PM
Great job in a difficult situation. A lifer, eh, even better. Great color, too.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/08/2012 05:39:36 PM
A very difficult shot to get. Fantastically captured.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/08/2012 05:15:30 PM
Holy capture! sweet!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/08/2012 05:15:25 PM
remarkable capture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/08/2012 10:55:13 AM
Congrats on top 20. Really is a great capture
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/08/2012 04:14:34 AM
Thank you to everyone for the votes but more so the wonderful comments, my primary reason for being on DPC, the last bastion of genuine photographic comment and the reason why I renew my membership.

Originally posted by Kroburg:
Fantastic shot and if it was your intention to shoot both hunter and hunted in one shot, my compliments... very perceptive!

Thank you Kees. Yes it was intentional. I have a few shots of Owl in hot pursuit of prey :)

Message edited by author 2012-12-08 04:19:06.
 12/08/2012 02:23:54 AM
This was my only 10 of the challenge. Simply superb.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
12/07/2012 09:48:57 PM
Amazing capture! The light, DOF, bit of motion blur ... all perfect. This one just blows me away.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2012 04:54:40 PM
fabulous !!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2012 09:11:15 AM
Super shot. Composition perfect
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/04/2012 05:11:08 AM
wow
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/04/2012 04:04:03 AM
Nice capture....
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/03/2012 01:50:22 PM
Fantastic shot and if it was your intention to shoot both hunter and hunted in one shot, my compliments... very perceptive!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/03/2012 08:31:59 AM
Wow, the intensity is crazy. And to get both in a single capture is amazing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/02/2012 09:27:48 PM
Wow! Nice capture!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/02/2012 07:35:07 PM
Absolutely fabulous capture! Great dof and lighting!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/02/2012 07:29:55 PM
I can't wait for details about this aamzing entry!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/02/2012 04:30:23 PM
This is a super shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/01/2012 11:02:26 AM
Cool!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/01/2012 08:38:37 AM
I like how their airborne shapes mimic one another :) A beautiful nature shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/01/2012 05:52:53 AM
great capture
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/01/2012 03:37:28 AM
Great catch
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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