Tawny owl in autumn
Finding owls
One of the charming creatures we take great pleasure in photographing is the owl. These fascinating birds come in various shapes and sizes and can be discovered in the most intriguing locations. Not far from our home lies a renowned spot that has long served as a home to a little owl. As its name implies, this owl is typically rather small, measuring only about 22 centimeters in height. Other owls, like the tawny owl, are bigger and commonly found in wooded areas, yet locating them can be quite the challenge.
So, whenever we hear of a promising location for these owls, we eagerly set out on our photographic quests, hoping for the best. Over time, we've become familiar with several spots where tawny owls tend to frequent, and as the fall season approaches, the vibrant colors of autumn leaves offer captivating backdrops for our pictures. While we've set out on numerous occasions, only about one out of every five attempts has yielded success. Tawny owls, like many other wild creatures, are understandably skittish around humans and often retreat deeper into their tree refuge when startled.
Furthermore, owls are creatures of the night, which makes spotting them in daylight a considerable challenge. They typically rest during the day, but your best chances of an encounter are during the early hours just after sunrise or right before sunset.
One or two?
Last year, we enjoyed several strokes of luck. We stumbled upon an owl's nest in the area and made regular visits. Greg even played an important role in saving the tree from being cut down when considerate woodcutters marked it after learning of the owl's presence. Then, on one memorable evening, the owl cautiously emerged from the tree and sat quietly surveying its surroundings. Greg took several photographs and savored the moment. The owl, undisturbed by his presence due to his quiet and concealed position among the trees, would briefly vanish from sight whenever joggers or cyclists passed by the tree.
Back at home, while sorting through his photographs, Greg excitedly called Jacobine over. "Come and take a look at this picture! Can you see what I see?" And sure enough, while Greg had been entirely focused on the owl in the tree, he had overlooked the second owl, skillfully concealed on one of the branches. It was truly a special moment, underscoring the importance of keen observation in nature. How many more of nature's exquisite wonders do we miss each week during our outings? In the future we resolved to make even greater efforts to observe with the utmost diligence.
Silent hunter
Can you spot the second owl?
