It's easy to forget the overall picture, and how it can tell a story... lessons learned!

I recently found the images I'd taken of a Barred Owl from the archives (2013), using the K5 + FA* 250-600 F/5.6 ED [IF]. The K5 was released in 2010, and I purchased mine in 2011. Summary: a majority of tight shots at 600mm, and several below 300mm.

From the forum post: "Was finally able to track down and do PP on these images in the archives. One of the best surprises I've ever had - this Barred Owl was in the open before dusk (sun had just set), and at eye level to me, about 40' away. That owl landed on the tree right after I finished photographing the Pileated Woodpecker.
This is not the recommended shutter speed for this FL, and ISO 3200 was the max limit I was willing to take on shots. Another subject I've love to get better conditions to photograph, and you take the opportunities where they arise."

Ironically, the blue jays screaming away is what alerted me to the barred owl, shortly after that Pileated Woodpecker I had been photographing left the area. This owl took wing to another old oak tree in the last image, then shortly thereafter took flight into the woods. Even higher ISO on this shot. The owl is on the edge of the DOF, so slightly soft, and there's too much in this shot to not consider it a nice addition to the story of a hunter in the forest.

My takeaway from sharing those images? Getting in close is not always the best or most desired result. Show more of the subject's surroundings - this will add to the picture's story. Too easy to get wrapped up in getting close(r) to the subject, especially when you're used to doing a lot of macro image work! Thank you for that reminder.

Focal Length 260.0 mm
Aperture f/5.6
Exposure Time 1/200
ISO 3200
Metering Center-weighted average
Exposure Program Aperture-priority AE
Exposure Bias -0.3 EV
Size 3264 x 4928

Focal Length 600.0 mm
Aperture f/5.6
Exposure Time 1/250
ISO 3200
Size 3264 x 4928
Metering Center-weighted average
Exposure Program Aperture-priority AE
Exposure Bias -0.3 EV

Focal Length 600.0 mm
Aperture f/5.6
Exposure Time 1/250
ISO 3200
Size 3264 x 4928
Metering Center-weighted average
Exposure Program Aperture-priority AE
Exposure Bias -0.3 EV

Focal Length 600.0 mm
Aperture f/6.3
Exposure Time 1/320
ISO 3200
Metering Center-weighted average
Exposure Program Aperture-priority AE
Exposure Bias -0.3 EV
Size 3264 x 4928

Focal Length 340.0 mm
Aperture f/5.6
Exposure Time 1/320
ISO 5000
Metering Center-weighted average
Exposure Bias -0.3 EV
Exposure Mode Manual
Size 4928 x 3264