Rona Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 I sometimes see a barn own briefly on my way to work in the morning but today it flew across the road in front of me and then flew parallel to the road for about 200 to 300 yards. There were no other cars on the road so I was able to slow right down to match its speed. I was close enough to see the fine detail of those beautifully delicate silvery grey lacy look feathers on its wings and back. Absolutely wonderful, fair lifted my spirits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goosey Lucy Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Wow, you lucky thing! I've only ever seen an owl on someone's arm. I'd love to see one in real life as it were. I'm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazygal Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 wow- lucky you. Apart from seeing owls at birds of prey places, I've only seen one once in the wild (it was sitting in a hedge). But I sometimes hear one at night which is lovely. I love owls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 I've never seen one either. How wonderful to see one in full flight though , what time of day was it Rona? Hubby works nights out and about on chicken farms and he said he's seen loads lately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairy&cake Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 How lovely! Ive never seen a barn owl. I bet you were so excited and happy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 That sounds amazing - what a lovely sight . I was once a passenger in the front of a minibus when a peacock flew alongside us and then in front of the bus . It looked like some kind of flying dragon or dinosaur till we realised what it was . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rona Posted February 28, 2008 Author Share Posted February 28, 2008 It was about 8.20am. Usually when I see it is when I am starting work early as normally I am driving along there about 9am. I am very lucky as I can avoid all the busy roads and go across country lanes and so I see lots of wildlife - pheasants, moorhen, partridge etc as well as the barn owl. Also go past a farm and if I am a bit later there is a group of chickens scratching about at the side of the road, including 1 black and 2 white silkies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 You are so lucky to have seen that Rona. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 wow - we hear owls in the woods near here, but I've never seen one away from a bird of prey centre Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 We have woods at the bottom of the garden, and twice last year I felt an owl swoop past, and saw one silhouetted against the moonlit sky....very beautiful......I was still closing the Eglu doors then. We hear them at night. Your commute sounds lovely. Rona. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Oh Rona, that sounds lovely! It's reminded me that I saw one last Saturday evening driving home from my Dads. Like you, driving along a country lane and it swooped down in front of the windscreen and drifted across the field in front and to my right. A wonderful sight - thanks for reminding me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Gorgeous, I love seeing wildlife Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 How lovely! I haven't seen a wild owl in ages, and never that close up. I did go to the local falconry centre a few years back for a "Night Flight" display and have a tame one fly to my (gauntletted) wrist, though. Amazing how light they are - they make bantams feel heavy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 It is lovely to see them isn't it. We are fortunate enough to have them nearby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 When we were driving home from my Mother's in Lincolnshire a few weeks ago, we saw one. It really did look like a little ghost. So beautiful! I'm so jealous of you Rona, for seeing one every day. My daughter would be jealous of the pheasants too as she is obsessed with them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 There used to be owls nesting in the park at the bottom of the road, and I loved to hear them at night. They have moved on now though Phil's folks live on a farm, and we've seen them up there before, late afternoon/early evening when we've been walkign in the fields or woods. Do you know why they are silent fliers? Because they have no preen gland and oil on their feathers, this helps them to swoop up silently on their prey, but also means that they can't hunt in the rain. Si, if you stroke an owl (i held an eagle owl a couple of weeks ago) you shoudl always use the back of your hand rather than the oilier palm. (Sorry, teachery bit over now ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luthien Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 We have seen some barn owls when we go to our local tesco carrying voles and such. They always remind me of a loaf* of bread the colouring grainy brown on top and the white underneth, also they are soo white looking they have a glow to them, I'd love to see some short eared owls thou as they are one of my favs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luthien Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 This is a (one of my favourite photographer) guy who photographs birds (I would love to be able to get results like him one day). His fav bird is the Short eared owl and you can see why (he also has photos of barn owls and other birds on his website). http://www.richardbedford.co.uk/newseowlHP.htm I'm sure you will enjoy them, I do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Wow, what beautiful pictures . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rona Posted February 29, 2008 Author Share Posted February 29, 2008 My daughter would be jealous of the pheasants too as she is obsessed with them! Pheasants are just everywhere in Norfolk. They are so beautiful but we tend to take them for granted as they are so common, This year we have some white ones in the woods at the bottom of the garden. OH keeps going up with his camera but hasn't managed to get a good photo yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 We have an owl in the big tree at the bottom of the garden.Last summer he would come out at dusk & sit on top of the greenhpous,scouting for supper The best owl experience I have had was in Cephallonia. We would sit outside the restaurants for our evening meal & the owls would be swooping across the sky above - it was wonderful. I have never seen so many owls in one place before. Once when we drove home there was a small owl on a fence post.We pulled up beside it & it just sat there,looking at us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 We also see owls up here loads but not many barn owls but last saturday there was one dead by the road about half a mile from here - I was sad about that as they are beautiful birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...