Birds in Nature - images of wild birds by Richard Ditch

Subject: Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia)
Place: Chandler, AZ, USA
Date: September 1994
Equipment: Nikon 8008, Nikkor EDIF 400/5.6, TC14 converter (560/8)
Film: Kodachrome 200
Exposure: Aperture priority matrix metered at f/8
Scan: Minolta Dimage, 60% of frame

Commentary: A few family groups of Burrowing Owls live at the municipal airport in Chandler, AZ, and can sometimes be found in the daytime along the fence line. This bird was sitting directly above the den. Photographed from the open car window. I like the simplicity of the plain sky, the graphics of the wire, and the clear view of the entire legs and feet. I could easily have the bird off center to either side but have chosen this strongly centered presentation.

My photography has improved since this shot. This image has excessive grain from the ISO 200 film used, and the lighting is a bit on the harsh side. But I still like the image.