Close Encounter

I had a terrific session with this barn owl last Sunday morning. Having spent a fantastic hour following it up and down the road next to a river bank and despite getting out of the car a couple of times it seemed completely oblivious to my presence. That was until it quite deliberately flew across the road towards my car and hovered for ten seconds just four feet from my window and stared at me over the top of my lens.

I have been within touching distance of my beloved little owls and within three or four yards of a grizzly in Canada, and very close to many big cats in Africa but those ten seconds with Barnie were just as special

1dMKIV 300f2.8 ISO500 f6.3 1/1000 hand held & slight crop for comp.

Bob

Yes that'll do ! Special indeed.
Is there one anywhere in the country not ringed ?
One the best flight jobs I,ve seen.

JR

Thanks for that John,

This ones partner does not have a ring but it has not been as obliging so far.

Bob

Great shot and, as you say, up there with the very best of encounters.

David

Well done Bob i bet your chuffed with this,your shot is excellent.
Keith.

Bob

That's special and I know the feeling.

Cracking light and lovely detail. Just goes to show the early bird does get his worm, im green

Excellent! You must have been excited being so close.

Spot on Bob. I have only ever seen two in the wild, one was dead and the other was a split second glimpse in a car headlight. However, I have recently been told of someone near here who has seen them so hopefully . . . .
If I can get anything as good as this I'll be dead chuffed.