No, that's not a typo in the header. I'd not been out with John for our 'regular' Thursday afternoon for three weeks - partly due to the weather and partly due to severe toothache followed by an extraction. We'd pretty-much decided, therefore, that we'd go out on this Thursday (16th Feb.) no matter what the weather. We were relieved to find, the day before, that the forecast was not too bad.
On my way to pick up John (it was my turn to drive) I stopped at my Little Owl Site No.02. I've been seeing a pair here regularly of late, and I saw both on this occasion, although one bird only showed for a second or two. The sun was shining and I managed some shots of the male bird.
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| Little Owl (Athene noctua) (male) - my Site No.02 |
The skies clouded over soon after leaving John's place and by the time we found our first owl, at Site No.37, it was fairly dull. This was no bad thing as the views at this site are 'into the sun'.
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| Little Owl (Athene noctua) - my Site No.37 |
We stopped for our picnic lunch by my LO Site No.34, and one owl was seen, but I did not attempt any photography.
We then continued to Eyebrook Reservoir in the hope of getting some Kingfisher images. The water at the inflow was extremely muddy and we only had one glimpse of a Kingfisher (no photos) as it flashed down the inflow to the reservoir.
After a while here we gave up and headed round to the hide on the western side of the reservoir. There were plenty of birds out on the water, but all at a great distance. Not wanting to come away totally empty-handed, I took a few shots of a drake Goldeneye which was spending three times longer under water than it was on the surface.
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| Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) (male) - Eyebrook Reservoir |
The light was failing rapidly and so we decided that it was time to head for home. As we left the hide we felt the first drops of rain. We were back in the car, and I was just about to pull away, when a Robin alighted on the hedge just in front of us. Never one to resist an obliging bird, I fired off a few frames.
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| Robin (Erithacus rubecula) - Eyebrook Reservoir |
It soon started to rain quite heavily and, as John wanted to be home by 17h00 we skipped a few of our normal stops, and only saw those owls seen on the outward journey.
I dropped John at his home at around 16.45 and, as Lindsay wasn't expecting me home until between 18h30 and 19h00, I called again at my LO Site No.02 and sat in my car and waited. I'd seen the Little Owls mating here on my previous two evening visits. The first owl (the female) showed at 17h00. This bird is quite distinctive in its appearance as it has a flattish head and bushy 'eyebrows'.
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| Little Owl (Athene noctua) (female) - my Site No.02 at 17h00 |
The light was already failing quickly, but I was thankful that it was not sunny as the light would have been directly behind the bird, making matters even more difficult. She stayed in this spot for a few minutes before flying up to the top of the end wall.
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| Little Owl (Athene noctua) (female) - my Site No.02 at 17h04 |
It was nearly ten minutes later when I heard an owl calling followed by the male bird appearing in the remains of the building. It was somewhat darker already.
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| Little Owl (Athene noctua) (male) - my Site No.02 at 17h13 |
Almost immediately he flew to the end wall, which had been vacated by the female.
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| Little Owl (Athene noctua) (male) - my Site No.02 at 17h13 |
The female then arrived at a point below the male.
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| Little Owl (Athene noctua) (female + male) - my Site No.02 at 17h16 |
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| Little Owl (Athene noctua) (female) - my Site No.02 at 17h16 |
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| Little Owl (Athene noctua) (female + male) - my Site No.02 at 17h18 |
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| Little Owl (Athene noctua) (female + male) - my Site No.02 at 17h36 |
It wasn't the afternoon I'd hoped it might be, but it was, nevertheless, most enjoyable.
Thank you for dropping by. I suspect that my next post might be on garden birds - unless something interesting happens in the interim!
Excellent post Richard and a nice insight into the lives of these Owls backed up by some nice photos.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marc. The owls are an important part of me surviving the winter months!
DeleteHey Richard! They are so small! Wonderful to see the photos of the robin. I hope you are feeling better! Greetings from here sleet in the middle;-)
ReplyDeleteThank you Anne. Sorry to hear that you too have had dental problems, but pleased that the situation is getting better. My dental situation is improving too - just down to a low-key dull ache now.
DeleteBest wishes - - - Richard
For ISO 2500 and 1/8 seconds freehand you still good pictures succeeded.
ReplyDeleteVery nice series of the owls
Greetings Frank
Thank you, Frank. These were the lucky shots. I threw away many that were extremely blurred and totally useless!
DeleteBest wishes - - - Richard
I love the Little Owl, and, you shot them. Fantastic Richard.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bob. Your visits are always much appreciated.
DeleteTake good care. Best wishes - - Richard
Hi Richard!
ReplyDeleteNice to see you've gone out again with John and managed these lovely pics of Lo's!
I hope your tooth ake is over and just a souvenir...!
The Goldeneye drake is magnificent, I have not seen the species yet.
Warm hugs to you and Lindsey :)
Little Owls will always be a great love of mine, Noushka. They keep me sane during the winter months.
DeleteHopefully, one day you will visit UK and we can show you Goldeneye.
I hope that all is well with you. My very best wishes - - - Richard
Hi Richard, we are really struggling this Winter with the light and you have done remarkably well for saying how poor the conditions were. It looks unfortunately similar for this week. See you soon. John
ReplyDeleteThe weather forecast for tomorrow looks pretty grim, John. This has got to have been one of the worst photographic winters in memory, as far as Thursdays are concerned!
DeleteHopefully will see you tomorrow - but I'm not convinced!
Great to witness a bit of owl fornication, I guess they will all be at it soon.......
ReplyDeleteThis is the only pair that I've seen at it so far this year, Paul. The female looks remarkably like one of yours of the type that I mentioned in my talk at the LROS meeting earlier in the month.
DeleteHi Richard,
ReplyDeleteI hope the toothache has now been resolved.
You let beautiful pictures of these beautiful little owl.
I really love this little owl and am glad so many beautiful pictures to see of him.
The pictures of the goldeneye are photographed beautifully.
I really sit enjoy these beautiful pictures. Thank you.
Best regards, Helma
Thank you, Helma. The 'tooth' is almost better.
DeleteLittle Owls are delightful birds, and I get excited whenever I see one.
I wish the Goldeneye would have come a little closer. They are a very handsome duck.
Best wishes - - - Richard
cant beat a bit owl porn :-)
ReplyDeleteWhatever turns you on, Stevie ;-}
DeleteHello Richard, thank you so much for visiting my blog and leaving a kind comment. I didn't realize you had a blog too. Very happy to return the visit as I have thoroughly enjoyed these wonderful photos. Having been through the same as you with dental issues, I can fully sympathize what you have gone through, and continue to wish you speedy healing.
ReplyDeleteHi, Denise. Sorry to hear that you too have had dental issues. We'll get there eventually!
DeleteDelighted that you enjoyed the blog. I've just seen that John has done a post on his blog too, and suspect that there might be some overlap in content! I must get over there and have a look.
Best wishes - - - Richard
Sorry not to have visited for a while Richard, but I have been away in Taiwan and Hong Kong. I will be returning home on
ReplyDeleteSunday. I have certainly had some fabulous birding here but not a single owl unfortunately. And I don't even have a dental story to share!
How unfortunate that you've not seen a single owl, David. I'm sure you'll get over the disappointment, and take consolation in some of the other species that you've seen! ;-}.
DeleteEnjoy the rest of your stay, and have a safe journey home.
My very best wishes to you both - - Richard
Is it normal for LO's to be mating this early? Hopefully a better year ahead for them.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots of the LO's
Yes, Doug. towards the end of February is quite usual for them to start copulating, although egg-laying tends to take place around mid-April. Maybe February's efforts are just for pleasure. Seriously though, it's at this time that they'll be checking out breeding sites if they have overwintered at a different location, and the bonding gets stronger.
DeleteBest wishes - - - Richard
Hi Richard, nice to see the Little Owls are busy at it ;-) I hope you will be able to get some pictures of the babies from this pair :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. I'm hoping for a brood this year too - it's been a few years since there were young here. I just hope that the building that they are in survives Doris Day - the roof is half gone already, and I think the wind today could be disasterous for what is left.
Delete