I‘ve taken more owl photographs in the past couple of months than I ever dreamed possible. Not just distant snapshots, but much closer than I have been before. Last winter, Sandwich Bay was the place to go and so I began this season with two trips in just five days. Whilst I did see a couple of short-eared owls, they had moved from my favourite location and were flying over a much wider area. I tried a new spot, which made a nice change, but it didn’t bring me any more luck. There were no signs of the barn owls at all.
Then, in early December, the owls went crazy at Elmley nature reserve. In the previous winter, they hadn’t shown when the reserve was open at all. Not even on the shortest days when you might spot one or two emerging in the fading light. This winter, it has been the complete opposite with both the short-eared and barn owls flying all day. I can’t vouch for the mornings because I seldom arrive before midday, but I have certainly pulled in to the main car park to find owls zooming up and down before lunch.
I will have to post the images over a period of time, but today I wanted to share a beautiful barn owl perched very close to the track. I had been photographing short-eared owls a bit further up the hill and although I was aware of cars gathering a few hundred yards away, I wasn’t in a rush to see what was happening. Driving down a while later, I got a glimpse of the owl, but it was obscured by grass. I decided to drive on, but was unable to pass one large vehicle that hadn’t parked properly. I waited patiently for him to pull in and he tried several times. He should have had more than enough room, but he gave up and parked further up the queue.
This left me with a problem because I now had a large parking spot with a very good view of the owl. Thinking the other guy had more than enough time to take the photographs he wanted, I pulled over and these are the result.
Ian Miller
29 Feb 2024As expected great images.
Zooey
29 Feb 2024That’s very kind of you Ian. I hope you are keeping well 🙂
Steve
29 Feb 2024I have never had much success at Sandwich for the Owls, butI’m glad that you did – super shots.
Zooey
29 Feb 2024I like both locations. Sandwich is great for experiencing nature. It can get bitterly cold standing outside for hours, but it’s all part of the fun. You are also free to wander around if the owls are showing in a different spot. At Elmley, you are stuck with where you can park 🙂