Hi all,I got my Sigma a week ago and have been gallivanting around the area to try the combo out. I stumbled across the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge (Denver) and love this park. I get to see a lot of Bison (and their calves), Mule Deer and Burrowing Owls. I have only come across 3 owls so far and managed to get a few photos (appended below). I need to find other locations where I can see more (in a group).Thanks for looking.And here is one of the owl's neighbors.Cheers,

Nice shots. Ive been to the RMA NWR several times, but not since last winter, and have never seen a burrowing owl. Lots of deer, bison, and prairie dogs, but no BOs--yet.Don't know about burrowing owls, but Barr Lake State Park is excellent for waterfowl and other bird possibilities...I wonder what Rocky Flats NWR will have when it opens to the public here real soon?  EPA says it's cleaned up, but ????

historianx wrote:Don't know about burrowing owls, but Barr Lake State Park is excellent for waterfowl and other bird possibilities...Yeah, I have been to Barr Lake and love it. I am going this evening too. Just got a Wimberly head and want to try it out. I also believe Chatfield State Park is great for these owls - might have to check that out too. I bought the Annual CO State Park pass too so that I can check out all the awesome parks here in CO before I head back to CA in two months.Cheers,

Lihkin wrote:Hi all,I got my Sigma a week ago and have been gallivanting around the area to try the combo out. I stumbled across the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge (Denver) and love this park. I get to see a lot of Bison (and their calves), Mule Deer and Burrowing Owls. I have only come across 3 owls so far and managed to get a few photos (appended below). I need to find other locations where I can see more (in a group).Thanks for looking.And here is one of the owl's neighbors.Cheers,..Nice pictures taken....but are you happy with the image quality results(?)....closer crop of original....closer crop of original....closer crop of original..***********..maybe try setting your D850 to take pictures using the medium resolution mode....and then compare the image quality results..***********..Cheers..

Yes, the results are great. These photos that I posted are already very close crops, so you cropping them further will obviously make them blurred. The owl was pretty far away. These were on Large quality on a stable RRS tripod with a BH 55 head.Cheers,

Lihkin wrote:Yes, the results are great. These photos that I posted are already very close crops, so you cropping them further will obviously make them blurred. The owl was pretty far away. These were on Large quality on a stable RRS tripod with a BH 55 head.Cheers,..ohh, okay.. thanks for sharing....glad to hear the results are great....Cheers..

Lihkin wrote:historianx wrote:Don't know about burrowing owls, but Barr Lake State Park is excellent for waterfowl and other bird possibilities...Yeah, I have been to Barr Lake and love it. I am going this evening too. Just got a Wimberly head and want to try it out. I also believe Chatfield State Park is great for these owls - might have to check that out too. I bought the Annual CO State Park pass too so that I can check out all the awesome parks here in CO before I head back to CA in two months.Cheers,If you haven't already consider a trip to the San Luis Valley to hit the Alamosa and Monte Vista NWRs, as well as some of the state wildlife refuges that dot the valley.   Awesome possibilities!

Lihkin wrote:Yes, the results are great. These photos that I posted are already very close crops, so you cropping them further will obviously make them blurred. The owl was pretty far away. These were on Large quality on a stable RRS tripod with a BH 55 head.Cheers,I thought they looked a little soft.  This explains it.  Sometimes you just don't have enough reach.  We've all been there.

Inspired Shot wrote:I thought they looked a little soft. This explains it. Sometimes you just don't have enough reach. We've all been there.Yeah, it's hard to get close enough to get a decent framing, isn't it? I don't like to get too close to them as I don't want them stressed. I might try a 1.4X TC the next time to see how it work.Cheers,

Lihkin wrote:Inspired Shot wrote:I thought they looked a little soft. This explains it. Sometimes you just don't have enough reach. We've all been there.Yeah, it's hard to get close enough to get a decent framing, isn't it? I don't like to get too close to them as I don't want them stressed. I might try a 1.4X TC the next time to see how it work.Cheers,There was a local pair of Bald Eagles that I like to photograph.  They are far away with no way to get closer safely or ethically.  I struggled even with D750 with 600mm lens and TC1.4.  Problem solved when I attached the 600mm to my Nikon 1 V3.  Didn't even need the TC 1.4. As long as atmospheric conditions are good, the shot is clear.

Lots of them in Cape Coral, Florida.  Here's one shot with my D300 and 70-200VR back in 20212.