Just returned from a few days birdwatching on the Norfolk coast at Wells-next-the-Sea, where one of the highlights was the barn owls. We spotted this wary individual along the Peddlar's Way coastal path...
.... and watched it hunting low over the edge of the saltmarsh with that floating, ethereal silent flight, coming ever-closer until...
...it spotted us. We thought that might be the last we'd see of it..
... as it banked away, revealing....
... this classic flat-faced profile...
... but then it spotted a movement in the grass, stalled....
.... hovered for a few seconds...
... and then dropped onto something small and furry in the grass....
... and then it was away, off towards...
... the church tower in Wells, where I guess it's a reasonable bet that it might be nesting.
Posts
Great sequence Phil, I especially like the vertical shots of the Barn Owl hovering and dropping for prey against the spring coloured hedgerow. Linda
ReplyDeleteTYhanks Linda, they're all enlargements of a small part of the image - it was quite a long way away and the light was fading ... beautful bird, though.
ReplyDeleteNice shots.
ReplyDeleteSupposedly its gonna be a good year for them . . .
A grand series, bet it made your week.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope so Stevie - I have heard there's a pair near Durham city at the moment..
ReplyDeleteCertainly did Adrian - the North-west Norfolk coast is a good spot for barn owls
ReplyDeleteA great encounter Phil. Such beautiful creatures.
ReplyDeleteI always feel privileged when I see one Keith
ReplyDeleteWell captured and presented Phil. They are such graceful birds to watch. I keep hoping a pair will use a nearby nest box.
ReplyDeleteHi John, the Norfolk coast seems to be a very reliable place to see them - I've watched them there three years in succession now..
ReplyDeleteStunning photographs.... absolute joy!
ReplyDeleteI was so entranced by the bird that it was a bit of a struggle to remember to press the shutter button, Lesley
ReplyDeletelovely pictures - so hard to get focus when the light is low. We've had barn owls all winter around our lodges, but can't say I've seen them recently. Hopefully they're just out later than me now!
ReplyDeleteThanks Maggie, at one point we did get very close to the bird - within about 20 metres, and I was too slow to get a picture ... a memorable moment, though
ReplyDelete