Day 279 - A Short Eared Owl in the Snow

As is often the case, I left the house without a plan!  I didn't know for sure where I was going or what my wild time might turn out to be, though I knew snow was involved - you have to enjoy it whilst it lasts!

I took in some favourite view and had a little wander...

In the view below, I looked out for short eared owls - just in case - as I've seen them hunting over this moorland on a few occasions. None today.

On the high ground the snow is still deep in places. This is one of my footprints...

After that wander, I went onwards and had another little walk on another patch of moorland, not far away.

There were some great clouds in the sky - all sizes, shapes and quite a variety of colours too.

I turned a corner and noticed a large brown bird soaring over the moorland. At first glance I assumed it was a buzzard...

but what luck - I quickly realised it was a rather short-eared-owl-shaped sort of buzzard!  I had the best views of it that I've ever had of an SEO and I stood out in the cold for a good half an hour watching it hunt. It kept flying really close and almost overhead, and twice landed in distant trees for a couple of minutes before carrying on!  I didn't get any really good photos as I'd forgotten my gloves (so had frozen hands!) and with zooming in and it being quite windy - plus the owl constantly moving - it wasn't easy to get an in focus shot, but I was just so pleased to be watching it and having it so close to me at times.

I did get a couple of reasonable photos at least :)

Eventually, I lost sight of the owl and didn't see it again. I noticed it was raining in the distance and as the owl had disappeared and I was pretty cold, I decided to head home...

 ... just as it started to snow again. I loved the light below with a bit of sunlight illuminating the falling snow flakes against. The white snow against that grey sky.

What a brilliant wildlife encounter!