Tree Creeper and Hares

After a hellish week in bed with flu followed by a mad rush to get some work done before going to Brussels for a course it was great to get a gorgeous sunny day at Leighton Moss yesterday. All eerily quiet in that strange way before the full on energy of spring. We did see a bittern though and a stoat and lots of hares on the way there.
Probably best shots were of the smaller birds in woody area near Lilians. Tree creepers living up to their names everywhere.

Barn Owl Hill expands

So it is a year since we named a local spot Barn Owl Hill. Since then we have watched as two barns held nursing adults with young and then they fledged and now we wonder just how many are in the area.

How large an area will a single barn owl hunt? We've seen quite a few since January, 1st. Today we had to abandon the car because of snow and hike up B.O. hill then later, on our way back from Inn at Whitewell, we spied a beautiful Barn Owl hunting and slammed into a snowy bank.

Watched her/him hunt for a long while and as light failed managed to get a few shots off.

Pants shoots a hare whilst I shoot Pants!!

What a fab day. Worried a bit about taking Sunday off in lieu of Monday (have to work Monday this week) Sunday is full of other people (mine and Jean-Paul Sartre's hell!!)
Fortunately, lots of snow yesterday and fog this morning meant it was quiet and impassable over barn owl hill. We skidded the car into a snowy bank and set off on foot. It looked awesome up there (we could still see the fog in valleys though) Stopped again nearer to Whitewell and Pants went up above the lime kiln whilst I photographed his figure disappearing and then reemerging. As he cam into sight a hare sprang up in front of him and I got funny pics of him gearing up to snap the hare...
Gorgeous day.

The ever popular Barn Owl

Gorgeous views of a barn owl hunting in the afternoon. It was a beautiful day (snow covered Inglebrough, Pen-y-gent and lush golden sunlight.

Barn owl came out of a barn and we followed it hunting over moorland. Tragically took snaps into the light. Playing about practising with shutter speeds and aperture etc lead to some over exposed shots :-(
Oh well, it is all a learning experience. I kind of like the pictures anyway- even though they are photographically speaking sub-standard.

All hail the Shorty

Took a look at East Lancs Ornithologists this morning to see where Short-eared owls have been spied recently in Forest of Bowland. Ended up on Mr Brian Rafferty's awesome blog and wept at the sheer sharp brilliance and beauty of his Shorty shots. Moved almost to tears of desire for a similar shorty experience (forgetting our photographic skills fall so far short of Mr R's!!) We zoomed off to Wirral and Burton Marsh. Had a super day walking, lunching at the great Boat House in Parkgate and a swift pint at the Harp on Neston Marsh. Finally we spied our Shorty. Alas it was a bit too far out, the light was failing and it was ruddy freezing.. All these excuses but essentially the skills are so far wanting on Mr Rafferty. :-(
Still a Short-eared owl (oh how I lurve them so)

Bittern by the punning bug

AGH! We love Leighton Moss we seriously do- but my oh my the need to pun is relentless. That said .... It is very hard not to when you're dealing with otters and bitterns.
Yesterday was absolutely stunning, frosty, crisp with blue skies and gorgeous sunlight. Unfortunately it was also packed at Leighton Moss. Of course that is great for RSPB and for the many many people enjoying the fantastic sights of our fave reserve but selfishly it was also a bit of a squeeze and the noise levels get out of control. We had some good views of bitterns and harrier and a fleeting view of the otters but left early (about 2.15) :-(
Saw the barn owl on Barn Owl hill the other evening - stunning views of him/her hunting in the pinky gold of the setting sun. Too far for pictures of any quality but great to see.