As some of you would guess! I returned to the Owlets last night, or at least at sun set.
Bad light made it very hard to get photos of note, it was cloudy and the sun was going down. The viewing on the other hand was great! The Owlets were very active, jumping about and stretching, and to begin with the local Blackbirds very vocal.
But as soon as the sun dropped the adults arrived with food. Camera wise, it was hard to pickup as the shutter speed reduced and the subjects activity went right up.
Each time an adult came in with food it would leave in the direction of the woodland slopes behind the Reserve Centre. This had the effect of encouraging the Owlets to follow. In turn each of the Owlets (most hungry first) would take a leap from the highest branches and flap with all their might to reach the next tree twenty feet or so away. Dropping in height all the time but each one made it to the next tree. Not quite so high but there anyway, then they climbed looking to be in the best position for the food as it arrived. Looking along the line of trees leading to the woods, sadly, it won’t be long before they will make it. After that finding them in a photographic position will be very unlikely.
Still it has been a experience I will not forget and rates right up there with some of my best ones, SO FAR!!
http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/forums/t/13436.aspx
Hope you enjoy, John :-)
For viewing or photography right place right time is everything. I'd rather be in the right place with poor kit than have the best kit and be in the wrong place.
Gosh John I wish I could have seen it. What a fantastic experience and your photos are sooooo good.
Thank you so much for sharing with us
Of all creatures, man is the most detestable, he is the only creature that inflicts pain for sport, knowing it to be pain. ~ Mark Twain
JudiM said: Gosh John I wish I could have seen it. What a fantastic experience and your photos are sooooo good. Thank you so much for sharing with us
Thanks JudiM, kind words, you are very welcome. When I find Owls the world stops, I must be obsessed :-)
John :-)
Some great shots John and you have pointed out something quite important here too. Despite these owlets looking very cute and potentially vulnerable without all their grown up feathers, they are highly active and capable of jumping and exploring at such an early stage. If anyone ever finds an 'owlet' at the bottom of a tree, it is often best to leave them alone, as they are great tree climbers and the parents are rarely very far away. I have to admit I have a bit of a soft spot for Tawnies and would recommend to anyone to keep an ear out for them in local woodlands, but be prepared as for the most part they are nocturnal.
Hi John,
Great pictures and update. Must say, after reading your posts yesterday, it was pretty clear you'd end up back there last night :) Highly addictive aren't they! :)
Steve
I won't be happy until I've got a penguin down :)
I have a soft spot for owls too. This is the nearest I have ever been to one at a local wildlife rescue centre. It was an injured owl found at the side of the road and brought from Scotland in the middle of the night and is doing really well now.
Gosh John, I just can't stop looking at your photoraphs or to find the words to describe how I feel about them. Thank you so very much. I so wish I am able to see such a sight myself one day.
Simply superb John! Such a delight to see so thank you for sharing them! They are stunning photos and very special as tawnies are rarely seen being more nocturnal!
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
My photos on Flickr
Great photos John Im glad you went back to record more in the life of those wee Owls. They are amasing birds and thankyou for sharing such wonderful photos with us.
Cheers
AL
If its no fun Yer no doin it right!
Fantastic pictures John. Thanks for posting them.Fantastic pictures John. Thanks for posting them.
Warning! This post contains atrocious spelling, and terrible grammar. Approach with extreme edginess.
I knew you would go back and It was well worth It,your pics are great. I just love those cuties.
Littleowl