Great Horned Owl I - Wildlife

Great Horned Owl - Photo #9

Yesterday was such an exciting day!  There are two Great Horned Owls who have made the cemetery at Shiloh National Military Park their home.  My husband and I decided to go down to Shiloh late in the day to see if we could spot the owls.  Not only did we find them, but I found turkeys, deer (including twin fawns, a young buck and an eight point buck), an Osprey carrying a fish, and a groundhog!  Talk about a worthwhile trip...it was an amazing few hours!  It was so neat being in the cemetery just before dusk and seeing these two owls with their massive wing spans flying around us.  The light was fading fast, but I managed to get a couple of keeper photos.  I didn't do too much to them with my textures.  I added a deep pine green texture to tone down the bright white present in the bokeh spots of light, and I added a couple layers of creamy gray to tone down the green and warm up the overall tone.   Here's the second portrait, featuring a side view of the owl:

Great Horned Owl II - Wildlife

Great Horned Owl II

I was a few feet closer for the second shot.  I was hoping he'd turn and face me, but alas, he flew off into the quickly fading light.  Maybe next time.  :)

InJoy,

Jai