Ears on an owl
I’m driving to the village of Pierowall on the main road from the ferry terminal when I see a large brown lump on a post. With shock I realise it’s an owl. There’s a Short-Eared Owl on a field boundary by the side of the road. I’m thrilled and worried. It’s likely to fly. I brake gently and cruise slowly towards it. Then I go very, very slowly while I get my camera ready. My camera is on the passenger seat next to me. It weighs so much that the seat belt alarm goes off unless I clip the seat belt on, but luckily the camera’s free of the belt.
My windows are already open in case I see a bird, so I don’t have the noise of the electric windows opening or the view they reveal to worry about. My car’s also electric at very low speeds, so there’s little engine noise. I just need to edge close enough to be able to see it out of the open passenger window.
I do.
The eyes are incredibly piercing and it’s the first time I’ve seen the feathers on the head erected which give it its name. What an absolute marvel.
Eventually it flies off when another car comes past. I want to see it again now.
More Short-Eared Owls
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