Barn Owl in Flight

Here is a picture painting of a barn owl in flight I found through google image search. Since owls tend to glide while they fly, would it be necessary to use a shutter speed of 800 to freeze this bird in flight? I like how the background doesn't appear to be blurred and how the eyes of the owl are in focus as well. Was Photoshop used to brighten or saturate the colors in the picture? It simply looks too perfect to me. Here is a link to the blog I found this picture on: http://true-wildlife.blogspot.com/2010/10/barn-owl.html

                           This is actually a painting, not a Photoshop touch-up. I feel silly.