Hi and welcome to my Blog, my name is Paul Riddle and I live in south Leicestershire, UK. Back in August 2007 my quest began to locate as many local Little Owl territories as possible. The driving force was a reported decline in the uk numbers so I thought I would do my bit and conduct a study in my area. After 7 years and countless hours out in the field I have detected over 200 different sites. With a thirst for a greater understanding of the owls a more comprehensive monitoring and nest box programme then commenced. This also now includes monitoring the local and very sparse population of Barn Owls, please pop back occasionally and catch up with the life and times of my owls and any other wildlife that I come across. I hope you enjoy your visit!!!

Wednesday 22 October 2014

An owl for a change......

I have been very neglectful lately with my owls, I have put some effort in to finding some but to be quite honest it is all too easy to give up and get drawn back to the Kingfishers, ooooo I love em!! Anyway, my good friend and fellow owling buddy Richard Pegler has been dropping a few subtle hints in the comments he leaves on my blog asking when will I be getting back to my owls?

So just for you Richard this post features an owl!! 

Earlier today I was in-between customer visits in the south of the county, I was travelling through a semi-wooded area along a country lane when a Tawny Owl flew across in front of the car. It was nice to see but I wasn't really that bothered about pursuing its whereabouts. I then had a flash back to Richards recent comments so I pulled up as soon as it was safe and reversed up into a nearby gateway. The binoculars and camera were soon out of the boot and it wasn't long before I was onto the owl. 

The bird was around 20 yards away and partially hidden by undergrowth and over hanging branches. However, I did managed a few record shots out of the car window of this new Tawny Owl site. 


I tried to "squeak" the owl out into the open for a chance of a better image but it was having none of it and stayed put. After 20 minutes I gave up waiting and continued on with my journey. 

Later after work I made a detour on my way home and re-visited the same location again, the light wasn't very good as it was getting late, but I'd got nothing to lose and surely it was worth a try? (a bit more effort on my behalf Richard ;-) !!). I parked up in the same gateway and "squeaked" again. This time I had a bit more success when the owl showed again, it started to call which confirmed to me it was a male bird. Remarkably it only took a few minutes before the owl flew closer and landed in a tree right next to the car. 



The photographic conditions were dire, 6:02pm and almost dark meant I had to adjust the settings to ISO 2000, F2.8 and only then I was able to achieve a miserly 1/20 of a second shutter speed. I only managed a handful of images before the bird was spooked by the noise of the camera shutter but at least I'd bagged a couple of usable images from this new site.

Yes it was good to get back in the company of an owl again, very refreshing in fact! So thanks must go to Richard for reminding me that putting in a little effort does sometimes reap the rewards.

Catch up soon, thanks for stopping by.........

10 comments:

  1. Love the last image mate, the others aint bad either!!!!!!! lol

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    1. Always good to get a complement of you Mr Green!

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  2. The two you say were in poor light are brilliant I would be ha with them. Though the light in the first is really good

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    1. Oh I am happy with them Doug, would just have been nice with a little less noise, cheers mate!

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  3. I quite like being 'blamed' for you re-connecting with owls and having such wonderful encounters, Paul. Those are beautiful images, and the expression on the owls face in the last one is just wonderful. I now feel that I've been prodded into trying to improve on my own meagre efforts!

    Have a great weekend!

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  4. There are no meagre efforts on your behalf mate, you put the most of us to shame. Thanks for your reply and you too have a good weekend!

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  5. AHA!
    Richard is indeed a great inspiration where owls are concerned! :)
    Your pictures are very good, a lot better than mine.... I still have none of adult tawnies! LOL!
    The light is gorgeous on pic N°1, but you managed your settings very well for the last ones considering the conditions.
    I have opted for automatic ISOs although I discovered recently not all photographic camera brands offer this option.
    It works with Nikon and since I've chosen to do so, I've never looked back. It allows me to adjust the speed in one turn of the screw adjuster...
    Thanks for commenting on the Eagle owl :)
    Take care!

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    1. Noushka it took me 7 years of searching until I found my first photographable Tawny Owl in good light, now I am spoilt as I have seven different sites to choose from, although they don't always show. I am a Canon user and I too have an auto ISO setting, but I have never tried it, maybe I should? Thanks for your comment.

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  6. Hello Rid, warm greetings from Montreal, Canada. Your photos are gorgeous!

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    1. Hello to you too Linda! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment, I am pleased you approve ;-).

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