Norfolk Barn Owls

One of the most notable things whilst driving around the Norfolk lanes was the number of Barn Owls we saw. Only on one day did we fail to see one of these charismatic creatures hunting or sat atop hedges and fence posts, and on two notable occasions, flying alongside the car for some considerable distance.
This particular bird was one of two out hunting at 11 in the morning within a few hundred yards of eachother. We seemed to see them at all times of day, and even in some particularly unpleasant weather conditions, although this morning was just grey and misty (and cold!).

Although we had some very close encounters with Barn Owls during the week, this was the only one I had the opportunity to really stop and photograph although he/she was about 50 metres away or so. After a few minutes of studiously ignoring me, it suddenly seemed disturbed by the shutter noise and its ghostly form disappeared off to hunt in the mist.

Our maximum count on any one day was 4 different birds, but even had we seen 40, I don't think the magic of watching them floating over the fields would have been in any anyway diminished.