I've just realised that, whilst I was busy sorting images and posts for the recent Northumberland trip, I did manage to get out a few times and come up with some images that I'm quite pleased with, including one that ranks amongst my favourites of the year so far! Somehow I managed to overlook doing a post on these! So here goes.
The day after we got back from Northumberland, I went over to my local patch for some 'owl therapy'. I arrived to find one juvenile out near the apex of the roof,
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| Little Owl (juvenile 1) - my Site No.02 |
... and another, outside one of the holes further down the roof, which soon popped into the roof.
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| Little Owl (juvenile 2) - my Site No.02 |
As the first juvenile had disappeared by now, I decided that it was time to set up my hide and halve the distance between me and the barn. As I did so I grabbed a shot of juvenile No.2 that was peering at me from inside the roof.
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| Little Owl (juvenile 2) - my Site No.02 |
Having set up my hide it was not too long before an adult bird arrived, landing on a broken roof timber. He soon popped up onto the end wall near the apex of the roof.
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| Little Owl - my Site No.02 |
I had to wait a while for the third juvenile to arrive, and this one gave some better images as I was that much closer!
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| Little Owl (juvenile 3) - my Site No.02 |
Soon No.3 started to nod off.
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| Little Owl (juvenile 3) - my Site No.02 |
Meanwhile the adult was still up near the apex, but also looking as it it was going to have a doze!
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| Little Owl - my Site No.02 |
A couple of days later, I went to my Little Owl Site No.03. Here, one of the birds was out on the nest tree. I took these images from my car on the road - the owls here are masters at camouflage - as demonstrated by the second image!
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| Little Owl - my Site No.03 |
The minute I got out of my car, the owl was off, even though this is a well-used road and I was quite a long way off.
Rather than wait for a return I went to see what was happening at my nearby LO Site No.17. There were no birds immediately visible, but as I rounded the end of a building, I came across this juvenile. I'm not sure who was most surprised, but I did manage to grab a couple of frames (only one of which was in focus) before it departed very rapidly. This chance shot is one of my favourites of this year. Yes, that black background is 'natural' - it's the inside of the building and the owl was perched in the doorway.
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| Little Owl (juvenile) - my Site No.17 |
So many fantastic little Owl sites,what choice you have at your finger tips,each image is superb,however, your last image from site 17,is the best shot I've seen by miles and miles.
ReplyDeleteJohn
Thank you John. I do spend about 95% of my birding time focusing on owls, and sometimes it gets results! That last image was one of those lucky ones that come along occasionally.
DeleteYes that last image is perfection Richard!
ReplyDeleteThank you Paul. It does help to raise the spirits when a lucky break comes along!
DeleteThe black background image is tremendous Richard and a just reward for your work! Very, very nice indeed. If the Guru is calling it 'perfection' then you know you've done well!
ReplyDeleteThank you Christian. I have the pleasure of working with Paul on the LROS stand at Birdfair at Rutland Water on Friday. I shall be hoping to pick up some good tips!
DeleteI do love their eyes, they have that stare that says 'What are YOU looking at' 'How dare you!' 'Who do you think you are' Lovely images Richard:-)
ReplyDeleteThere's certainly a lot of expression in their looks - even if we do misinterpret them. Thank you Linda
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