Late Lunch

After my successful early morning venture over to Gilmorton I wasn't planning on having any more trips out until at least the weekend, however when my 2.40pm appointment was cancelled it meant I had an hour or so to kill, mmmmmmm what could I do?????? That was it a decision was made, i'll take my late lunch at one of my local owl sites and as luck would have it my camera was in the car...........just in case!!!!!

Upon arrival both birds were observed flying around the nest tree, there seemed to be something that was exciting them, they were making a right racket squawking and screeching at each other not to mention all the fluttering and flapping, maybe it was something courtship ritual?

After a few minutes they calmed down and it was at this point I think they noticed me, or maybe they even heard the shutter on the camera?

My presence didn't seem to deter them at all, then to my amazement and good fortune they flew in my direction landing on a branch and a bushes right in front of me!!!

Bird No 1, presumably the female due to it's slightly larger size

Bird No 2

Bird No 2

Bird No 2

Site 62, Valley View Farm - Leire

Well I just couldn't believe my luck and to think I hadn't even managed any images of the adults from this site before. What a fantastic lunch half hour it was and I didn't even get to eat my sandwiches!!!!
 

And to think I so nearly nailed that dam elusive little owl in flight shot too!!

 

Captured at last!

Work took me over to Melton yesterday, this gave me an opportunity to look up an old friend that had so far eluded me and not yielded any images. As I pulled along side the nest tree a single bird was sheltering from the snow, he held fast for a few seconds allowing my first image of him albeit partially obscured by the ivy.

Site 41 - Gaddesby, Underlodge Farm

Later on in the afternoon I decided to take the back roads home and this took me by another site in Leire that can sometimes offer good views of LO's albeit somewhat distant and not good for images.............until now!!! Luck would have it a single bird was sighted quite close sheltering amongst the ivy, he seemed very reluctant to move allowing me this first ever image;-).

Site 62 - Leire, Valley View Farm.