Short Eared Owl Photography

Every so often we find an opportunity that we just wished we had taken earlier: in this case it's short eared owls. I've watched them hunt the grassy meadows on my friend's farm, and although I was pretty sure, I could never say for certain that they were nesting - in fact it seemed unlikely given the setting - and so close to Leeds. But now I have confirmed it! One of the great things about young owls is that they are just so noisy..! It didn't take long after hearing one pipe up, to realise that there were at least two young owl fledglings sitting in the trees - and the adults were still bringing in food. If only I'd figured this a couple months earlier..!! The picture opportunities would have been amazing.. Still, it's good to know they are at home here and I'm already looking forward to next spring.

Shorties always fill me with excitment. There's something magical about this bird - almost in the literal sense. For such a big bird they are incredible at keeping themselves hidden here on the farm. For one to suddenly arrive in the middle of a field in broad daylight is rather a shock - especially given their size. To watch them hunt is a privilege. Graceful birds, and surprisingly agile as they follow the hedgerows and flap low over the meadows. One of the best things about these birds is that they are relatively easy  to photograph as they will hunt the same fields, and they seem to take little notice if you stay quietly at the field edge. These shots were taken just before 9 p.m. - beautifully backlit in golden light. I tried my vole impression but the owl didn't seem interested... must work on getting it right.. Simon King did a great job with barn owls.. I think I need a higher pitch...  Anyway, I'm hoping that the young birds hang around for a while and maybe I'll get to see them practising their own hunting skills... 

Birds of Prey Photography

Our recent Birds of Prey Photography Workshop proved just how imporant finding the right location can be. We're lucky enough to have access to acres of Yorkshire farmland, and the mixture of habitat is perfect. Old buildings and barns are ideal for little owl and barn owl - not to mention two wonderful open windows which our barn owl is happy to fly through for photography! The surrounding landscape is also beautiful, including barley fields during the summer, and a pine plantation that provides natural settings for long eared and eagle owl. Here's just a few images from the last bird of prey workshop.

This farm near to Masham will be a regular location for our birds of prey photography courses. Images taken by clients can be viewed at Yorkshire wildife and landscape photography. To see other workshops in Yorkshire visit nature photography courses

How to Photograph Roe Deer

Although I've entitled this blog "how to photograph Roe Deer" I'm not sure I still really have the answer to that. Having said that, after many hours of watching these incredible animals and trying my hardest to get close to them, I've finally managed some close up shots of the deer in their natural habitat on the farm.

It's funny how some days, everythings seems to happen at once. This was the case on the morning I took these images. Hidden behind a straw bale, with my camouflage, I was treated to a beautiful buck wandering into the field at close range. the sun was just beginning to break as I watched him sniffing and snorting. I had to make a few clicking noises to get him to look up: he eventually decided not to trust the strange 'clicking' straw bale and slowly stepped through the hedgerow into the next field. About an hour later I spotted a female grazing at the edge of the field and was able to use one of the bales to quickly move about 50 yards or so to get withing shooting distance. I hit the ground with camera on beanbag and waited for her to step out. I didn't have to wait long before she was in full view, allowing for some lovely portraits..

I've learnt a lot about the deer - particularly in the last couple of months. Above all it's important to keep your head camouflaged, and I've found that with no movement they will largely ignore you - even at relatively close range (provided they don't catch your scent). But perhaps the biggest lesson has been in realising just how easily they move around the farm without being seen. I totally underestimated this - and now I know to keep a constant check with binoculars when approaching their feeding grounds. Many a time they stick to the hedgerows and are surprisingly well camouflaged. This probably explains how I have suddenly come upon a deer when turning a corner on so many occassions!

With the grass now getting longer I will go for pure hand-held stalking, using the long grasses as concealment. Watch this space as hopefully there will be more roe deer images to post.!