In our back garden, we've been hearing what we thought was an owl, for about 10 days, now. I used the Merlin App to record its call, and it informed me that it was a Tawny Owl. I've been looking for it in our trees for a few days and lo and behold, yesterday early evening, I spotted it! I was beyond excited! I rushed inside, got the camera, zoom lens on, back out under the tree again and focused on what was its butt, and confirmed that it was indeed a bird, and an owl at that! I moved around the tree looking for a better viewpoint, but there was none, just this one looking up at its butt. I stayed for ages, with a massive crick in my neck caused by standing looking up to the top of the tree, concentrating and keeping my camera lens from sliding back with the weight of it being completely upright! My patience (and neck strength) was rewarded - it turned its head and allowed me a few shots. I don't think it's a juvenile, and so am wondering if there's a nest somewhere. I'm keeping a close eye as there is a hole in the trunk of the tree near where the bird was sitting. I went out early this morning to check, but no signs of it where it was yesterday - I'll be keeping a regular look out for it though and see what, if anything, progresses or changes. A very exciting half an hour spent with this magnificent bird.
My first owl image was in Ballachullish in February this year - and now I have two! It's my year of the owl!
Incredible, how exciting. We have a friendly pigeon frequenting our garden at the moment. He seems to have damaged wing, but he can fly a bit. He has become almost tame!
Gracious this is such a beautiful capture. What a wise face staring down at you. Even the surroundings are perfect. The branches, the light, the dof it’s a super shot & beautiful too.
What an awesome shot- and story too! I've had one or two owls show up in our back woods in the 23 years we've lived here- mostly at night when I can't photograph them! Only once did one come in the day and I was so afraid I'd scare it away, I didn't get too close. But this shot is wonderful!
I'm surprised it didn't move or fly away! Must have been your secretive movements while organising settings on your camera! Brilliant - fav. And the TT is well deserved!
That's a gorgeous crop!