Lift Off

Low flight path over the grasses and heading in my direction then a rapid pounce and quick lift off with no joy by the look of it. Maybe the vole supply is dwindling and it's not as easy.

These short-eared owls hunt mainly at night and during the late afternoon, flying at low level to see where their prey is located.  I've seen them hover for quite a while, facing the wind before they drop suddenly in the scrub, rising with a vole usually but they also eat other birds and insects, carrying it in their talons.

Appropriate too as #1 son is lifting off tonight in New York to get here in the morning to help us with the funeral 'stuff'. Seems like he has only just returned home from Christmas here - which he has! Very lovely of him - he thought a lot of his Nana.