Wild Short-Eared Owl Encounter

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Paul
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I was at RSPB Adwick Washland late afternoon in August 2018 having heard that a Short-Eared Owl had been spotted there. It was my first visit to the reserve.

There is a partly tree lined tarmacked road that goes through the reserve which was busy with dog walkers and cyclists. I had been walking around the reserve for two hours with no sign of the Owl and I was thinking it was time to head home when suddenly the Owl flew up from a fence post close to the road and started quartering the fields. I took some handheld shots with my 500mm f4 as it flew around for 20 minutes.

Then the Owl flew onto another fence post close to the road. I moved carefully along the road until I had a good view of the Owl through a gap in the trees. I started to take more shots. I was now about 20 feet from the Owl. It could see me and it could easily hear the camera shutter but it tolerated me and perched for 5 minutes before flying off to do some more hunting.

I guess the Owl had got used to all the people going up and down the road and was therefore not concerned by my presence.

A special encounter I shall never forget.

C&C welcome, thanks for looking.

SEOPerched2.jpg

SEOPerched1.jpg
 
A superb encounter with cracking images of a beautiful owl :) thanks for sharing those :)

But I wonder?

The darker 'face' with darker patch between the eyes.....plus the hint of prominent pair of feathers on the head make it is a LEO not SEO ;)


Forget that, I have just watched the BTO video guide...... yellow eyes SEO, orange eyes LEO. Facial variance can be seen!

PS not that I have knowingly seen either so close :(
 
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A superb encounter with cracking images of a beautiful owl :) thanks for sharing those :)

But I wonder?

The darker 'face' with darker patch between the eyes.....plus the hint of prominent pair of feathers on the head make it is a LEO not SEO ;)

Thanks Box Brownie.

I think it is an SEO. I have not yet seen or photographed any LEO's but from the pics I have seen I think the ears are much longer and the faces are different :)
 
Thanks Box Brownie.

I think it is an SEO. I have not yet seen or photographed any LEO's but from the pics I have seen I think the ears are much longer and the faces are different :)
Hi Paul

Yup, I have edited my post........:coat:
 
Lovely shot Paul, shows its 'furry' feet and talons off well(y)

Normally I'd have said the oof grass was off putting, even a shame but on this occasion it might even add to the shot.....:thinking:.......my tastes are definitely changing :)

@Box Brownie Probably a female BB. Not set in stone but 9 out of 10 darker birds are female and the paler birds male. Also first year/winter birds can look darker. That applies to both both Long and Short-eared owls (y)
 
Lovely shot Paul, shows its 'furry' feet and talons off well(y)

Normally I'd have said the oof grass was off putting, even a shame but on this occasion it might even add to the shot.....:thinking:.......my tastes are definitely changing :)

Thanks Phil - much appreciated.

I also felt unsure about the oof grass but decided there was enough detail in the shots to balance it out. :)

Great info on differences between the males and females (y)
 
Lovely shot Paul, shows its 'furry' feet and talons off well(y)

Normally I'd have said the oof grass was off putting, even a shame but on this occasion it might even add to the shot.....:thinking:.......my tastes are definitely changing :)

@Box Brownie Probably a female BB. Not set in stone but 9 out of 10 darker birds are female and the paler birds male. Also first year/winter birds can look darker. That applies to both both Long and Short-eared owls (y)

Hi Phil

Many thanks for the identification insights, much appreciated :)
 
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