Barn owl and Red Kite

 Managed to get down the pits yesterday afternoon and added Red Kite and Black-necked Grebe to the local year list in addition to logging 20 Chiffchaffs, the first major arrival and this day hunting Barn Owl - when the kite passed over the light was simply dire but the sun broke through briefly late afternoon when the owl was out 

Barn Owls

a lot of Barn Owl activity following the strong winds, rain and recently the severe frosts  

Barn Owl

 after 4 hours in the hide this Barn Owl appeared and sat it out through some heavy showers before hunting again in the fading light 

an inquisitive Barn Owl

flew in and landed clearly not knowing I was there  

Barn Owl with the 2x

stood chatting at Flamborough in the fading light when this Barn owl passed by - The Canon R6 was on 6400 ISO and I just fired at the owl getting 1/2500th second and leaving it underexposed but the R6 is good in low light and it was easy to recover detail; also pleasantly surprised by the detail picked up by the 400 DO2 and the 2x converter hand held as usual 

Hen Harrier and Barn Owl

the Barn owl was clearly not welcome -- I am often amazed at the comparative sizes of seemingly familiar birds when seen together -- this is a juvenile female Hen Harrier -- it was not robbing the owl just kicking it off its feeding area

high ISO Barn Owl

BO

not sure what it is but I just don't find Barn Owls particularly attractive; nothing like an asio owl

Barnie

don't know why but I just don't find Barn Owl photos very attractive or inspiring -- is it the face or the fact that there are so many shots of captive birds taken in staged environments? on eof a couple I have been coming across locally of late