Plane-spotter Skylark + Barn Owl

[nigelblake]

A bit of a dilemma yesterday as I was in a hide photographing Skylarks when 2 Typhoons turned up at about 500 feet and flew tight circuits in full burner. I could have re-rigged the camera/lens set-up and got out of the hide to shoot the Typhoon but expected them to depart before I was ready, and I didn't want to spook the birds as they might be made wary of the hide, so I continued photographing the Skylark watching the jets and posturing in threat to them up above, it was amusing to watch!

1

Skylark, Alauda arvensis. by Nigel Blake, on Flickr

2

Skylark, Alauda arvensis. by Nigel Blake, on Flickr

3

Skylark, Alauda arvensis. by Nigel Blake, on Flickr

4

Yellow Wagtail, Motacilla flava flavissima. by Nigel Blake, on Flickr

5

Pied Wagtail, Motacilla alba yarrellii. by Nigel Blake, on Flickr

6

Pied Wagtail, Motacilla alba yarrellii by Nigel Blake, on Flickr

[swingy]

Fantastic images Nigel.

[Ben H]

Love the second Skylark and the Yellow Wagtail

[planemadbird]

Lovely shots Nigel

[nigelblake]

I have been out photographing the Skylarks again today but I got delayed as it was nice to find some Barn Owls very close to home early this morning, no prizes for guessing where i'll be tomorrow at dawn!

7

Barn Owl, Tyto alba, in flight hunting. by Nigel Blake, on Flickr

8

Barn Owl, Tyto alba, in flight hunting. by Nigel Blake, on Flickr

9

Barn Owl, Tyto alba, in flight hunting. by Nigel Blake, on Flickr

10

Barn Owl, Tyto alba, in flight hunting. by Nigel Blake, on Flickr

11

Barn Owl, Tyto alba, in flight hunting. by Nigel Blake, on Flickr

12

Barn Owl, Tyto alba, in flight hunting. by Nigel Blake, on Flickr

[FOTO4]

Excellent!

[colper]

Another superb set Nigel.The Barn Owl shots are of particular interest to me.Having recently found a wonderful location for capturing Raptors in the wild,Capel Fleet on the Isle of Sheppey(http://www.kentos.org.uk/articles/Raptorviewpoint.htm)it is my ambition to try and get some images of this quality.To date - - - three visits - - - it is proving very difficult,however the big bonus is being in the right place to be able to view Marsh Harriers,Short Eared Owls and the occasional Barn Owl hunting for and capturing their prey.


Colin

[nigelblake]

Shot number 2 will be the next RSPB "Birds" magazine cover image!!

[Danny]

Shot number 2 will be the next RSPB "Birds" magazine cover image!!

Congratulations Nigel, well desevered - stunning shots.