On the first day of astronomical spring, I’ve been thinking about the winter. It seems I spent a lot of it standing outside in the freezing cold, waiting for owls. I managed to photograph my very first owl about this time last year on a reserve about an hour from home. At least, it used to be an hour, but with massive roadworks on the way, some journeys were taking up to two, or two and a half hours. The owls weren’t showing in daylight either and so I began looking further afield.
Sandwich Bay is a two hour drive from home, but at least I spent that time driving and not sitting behind a lorry in a never-ending queue. The views were nice too and the sunsets as I returned back through Dover were breathtaking. I was able to park just yards from where both barn owls and short-eared owls hunted from early afternoon onwards. I only had to wrap up well and be prepared to stay put for several hours. I found the experience very relaxing.
There were several failed attempts and one afternoon I arrived and only had time to set up before thick fog rolled in across the fields. Other visits made the long day very rewarding though, like this one where the owls appeared at sunset. The light was already stunning and I would have been perfectly happy just to stand and soak up the view. The image featured above and below are of the barn owl.
The remaining photographs are of a short-eared owl hunting.
Steve
21 Mar 2023Your patience was rewarded and the photographs are excellent again.
Zooey
21 Mar 2023Cheers Steve! Have you been to Sandwich Bay yet? It’s getting too late for the SEOs now, but it’s probably the best owl location I have found so far 🙂
Sid
22 Mar 2023Hello! Your captures are breathtaking 😲♥️
Do adore them!
Have a great Wednesday 😊
Sid
Zooey
22 Mar 2023Thank you Sid. I have a few more owl images for later. Wishing you a great Wednesday too! 🙂