Ruth Mayer
October 2025 - Sawwhet Banding
About the Image(s)
Boise State University here works with the Intermountain Bird Observatory to band migrating birds. They had a banding session for Saw Whet Owls, and they invite the public. My daughter was lucky to get tickets for the 2 of us. It was at night. They are very careful with the birds. That evening they only caught one owl. These owls are so tiny. They might be as big as a pop can. I took this photo as they were putting the band on the owl. I thought it told a great story.
I used my 40-150mm lens on 40mm. It f3.5 at 1/100 sec and the Iso was at 8000, so if there is some grain in it that is why. I ran it thru Topaz AI and it helped. I was lucky to get the photo as there were lots of people there. One concern I have with this photo is the hand of the bander seems to stand out. I have masked it and darkened it a little to help. I like how the little owl seems to be looking at me.
5 comments posted
(Groups 21 & 48 & 71)
Thanks again. Posted: 10/21/2025 17:11:19
I think I have a hard time telling a story. This worked for me. Posted: 10/21/2025 17:16:07
This is such an interesting image to me. I agree that it conveys more about the action of the bander than the beauty of the Saw Whet owl, however that reinforces the narrative value for me.
I do like the emphasis on the eyes of the owl that Tom illustrated in his version. Posted: 10/25/2025 14:32:06