Tawny owls

Last weekend, I spent a night in a hide designed specifically for owl photography — in this case, Tawny Owls. These owls, while entirely wild, have become habituated to the site and are accustomed to both LED lighting and flash photography.

The hide is set on the edge of farmland, with suitably atmospheric perches: gate posts, fences, and bits of old agricultural machinery. The owls were wonderfully obliging, visiting each perch in turn and flitting between them, offering opportunities for both portrait and flight shots.

It was a real privilege to see them so close — the photographs were just the icing on the cake.

Huge credit to Tom Robinson, Wildlife Photography Hides, who designed and runs the hide.