Short eared owl

ByDawn

A wonderful first for me today. I’ve always wanted to see and photograph Short-eared owls, but I’ve never quite managed it, for some reason they have always eluded me. So today, on the advice of the wonderful and talented John Richardson (CLICK to have a look at his blog) I headed over to a beautiful stretch of Suffolk coastline. Soon after arriving, the astonishing sight of a brown patterned owl gliding nonchalantly across open water. Upon reaching the rough grass alongside the path, he began to hunt, buoyant in flight just like a Barn owl, but larger, more powerful. On long wings he quartered across the field, pouncing into the grass, and showing off his attractive brown and cream checker pattern markings. Hovering lightly in the breeze, allowing me a photo despite the terrible light, then gliding down the bank. With an attitude as fierce as his stunning yellow eyes, he silently slides past no more than ten paces away on rounded wings, ignoring his various watching admirers. An incredible experience that I won’t forget any time soon. I hope I’ll be able to get back there in better light, but for now, here’s something a bit artistic…

Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus, hunting, Suffolk. March

(Click images to view larger…)

If you like what you see, please consider sharing![social_share/]
UK & Eire Natural History Bloggers

Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DawnMonroseNaturePhotography

Current favourite books, click for more info:

Similar Posts

  • North Norfolk

    ByDawn

    Arrived at the North Norfolk coast just before sunrise yesterday, and although it started out cloudy, it turned into a beautiful day. I was pleased to find this very obliging Redshank, as they are normally very shy birds. This individual often came too close to focus on and was very busy feeding, which presented a…

  • 2026 Calendar

    ByDawn

    Exciting news! A friend of mine encouraged me to get a calendar printed, so I did just that! Featuring my favourite images from recent projects, and printed on high quality recycled silk paper, I’m really pleased with how they came out. I only have a few available, so be quick if you’d like one! Available…

  • Gardener’s Delight

    ByDawn

    Well, I wasn’t really planning any photography for today, just had some garden chores to get on with. So there I was, earthing up the spuds, I glanced up and what did I see? A pair of Turtle doves feeding underneath my new feeder at the end of the garden! The feeder’s only been set…

  • Turtle Dove

    ByDawn

    What a privilege to have this bird visiting the garden. He was still around this weekend, and really feeding up before his long flight south. The slightly better weather meant I could get some more photos, although I’m yet to catch him in the sun. It’s not going to be long before he departs, but…

  • Autumn Fen

    ByDawn

    A stunning morning on the Fen, a crisp frosty start and delicious golden light. The Konik ponies look so at home here, they were warming up in the sun at the edge of the wood. On in search of the Bearded Tits, but all was quiet in the reedbed. I can’t help feeling a bit…

3 Comments

  1. Wow, what a lovely sight that must have been. I like the black and white photo, I think it shows the way he’s concentrating on searching for his prey in sharp detail. Well done.

Leave a Reply