Have been looking for Great Horned Owls in an around the forest preserves where I live. Finally found 2 last Saturday the 21st of April. Only was able to capture one with the camera.
Below is some information from Wikepedia on Great Horned Owl, Bubo virginianus virginianus ;
The legs, feet and talons are large and powerful. Tarsal length is 54–80 mm (2.1–3.1 in).[6] The average foot span of a fully spread foot, from talon to talon, is around 20 cm (7.9 in), as compared to 8 cm (3.1 in) in long-eared owls, 13 to 15 cm (5.1 to 5.9 in) in barn owls and 18 cm (7.1 in) in the great grey owl.[4][17] Great horned owls can apply at least 300 pounds per square inch (PSI) of crushing power in their talons, a PSI considerably greater than the human hand is capable of exerting. In some big females, the gripping power of the great horned owl may be comparable to much larger raptor species such as the golden eagle.[18]

Above would be a good reason not to wear rabbit fur hat on ones head when out looking to capture pictures of owls.

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Steve,
I am not one of those who think technique is something one learns later, I purchased your e-book on Wildlife Photography, and my buddy purchased your Nikon Autofocus e-book My first serious SLR was a Nikon N80, which I mainly purchased for a trip to Australia back in 2001. I had the kit lens a 28-105 still have it Also purchased as Sigma 70-300, to get a litlle reach. Neither of which have VR. That trip I shot 70 rolls of 36 exposure film. 200 and 400 ASA. Had 1 filter a CPL. It cost me a bundle to have that film developed when I got home.Some very nice shots some not so good.
Digital was just starting to become popular. On one of our excursions to the great barrior reef, there were photographers on the boat using Digital SLR and video. So the company could sell a video of the day to you when returned to port, and yes I bought one, video I mean. With Digital I could see the results sooner.
Which helps one understand what did not go right with the capture, some motion blur due to poor technique in holding camera. Some out of focus because one moved forward or backward as the shutter was depressed. Some due to over or under exposure. Have purchased the D7000, until I kept seeing pitures with the D7100 and I could not reproduce the IQ with my D7000 so I purchased the D7100 and ran the shutter count up to 149,501and now the mirror hangs so I bought the D500 and I had the Nikon 200-500, I like to shoot birds and local wildlife when I can find it. Composition one learns I think through practice and the ability to accept honest criticism. And spending time analyzing the pictures one took, with an open mind. Do some research on Composition and Art
I have posted some pictures on UHH from time to time, and have been lucky. People have been kind and honest. If they don't particulary like something I try to see it through there critque. The hard part is remembering to try different things when one is out with the camera. I know this is a few weeks late, I am playing catch up in UHH.
Enjoy all your posts Steve. an try to make the best of what I have.

Homer 61

Or Mike

Thanks Dennis, was one of those lucky occasions.
Regards,
Mike

Welcome to the Hog, thanks for the kind comments.
Mike

No the bird is a Sandhill Crane.
You can check it out here.
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Sandhill_Crane/id

Regards,
Mike

Paul,
Thank you for sharing your pictures, just fabulous.

And I appreciate the information regarding flicker and your export information from light room. I will be reviewing the link you had inserted.
Regards,
Mike

Steve,
Beautiful set of Wolves, I like the portrait style of 1 and 2 evokes a sense of family
Thanks for sharing
Mike

Now that is a very profound quote.
:)
Mike

Rob,
Thank you for the response and the comment.
Eventually I wll have the courage to post a capture in the critique section.

Regards,
Mike

Dick,
Thanks for the response, the wolves are beautiful.
Regards,
Mike

Brent,
Nice captures, I enjoy what you did with the post processing, gives me some idea of what can be done.
Like the fine detail in #1 what is your new lens?
Regards,
Mike

So I was kindly informed,
Thanks, goes for knives also

Brent,
I agree , there is one I heard from Charles Glatzer about Wild Life photgoraphy, "he who has his eye to the viewfinder wins". To be politically correct, it probably should be they who have their eye to the viewfinder wins.
Thanks for the reminder, there is a lot to keep in mind in this world of phiotography.
Mike

This was the capture before the 2. The closer 1 was the one that I focused on. As you can see his head was turned.

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Paul,
Thanks for your comment yes I agree with you.
Regards,
Mike