Wow, another Tawny...............

Whilst out checking nest boxes on Sunday morning unbelievably I stumbled upon yet another new Tawny Owl site, my 7th so far this year! Although the owl was perched quite high up in a Scots Pine Tree it was only partially hidden from view and its distinctive silhouette gave it away! Luckily at the time I was on foot and not in the Landrover otherwise it would have been disturbed and possibly not seen at all? So without disturbing it from its day-time snooze I made a hasty retreat and for the rest of the morning I was hatching a plan for my return later on that evening.

I knew that when I returned in the Landrover there was every chance he wouldn't show and the better views and a chance of an image would be totally scuppered, but it was a risk I had to take. The sun was not far off setting so I positioned myself with it coming off my back and I faced towards the small spinney where I saw the owl earlier in the day. Once parked up I dare not move or make another sound for around half an hour, once I was happy that I'd been quiet enough for long enough I peered through my camo scrim and the owl was still in the exact spot as this morning, only this time it was wide awake!

He sat and watched me from the tree for next 30 minutes, then just as the sun was setting he came to life, it proved to be an excellent experience as the owl re-located onto several different perches. I was fortunate that there was still enough light left that allowed for some decent shutter speeds without the need to pump up the ISO too much.

 

With hindsight I would say it was one of the best owl encounters I've every had (and I have had a few!), a very showy (normally nocturnal) owl in pretty decent light. Needless to say I will be returning to investigate further and hopefully next time I will have some positive news about partners and breeding??

Thanks for popping by, hope you like this last set of images.

See ya soon........................