The wedding owls

Another glorious summer day for the  wedding of dear friend, and  essential Arabic interpreter for the refugee family, Sarah.  She has been so close to my family for so many years that she seems almost part of it. The ceremony took place at a field study centre in south Pembrokeshire, a beautiful setting for a  happy gathering of Welsh and Syrian relatives and friends.

As a passionate owl-lover (strigiphile, apparently) Sarah was initially a little shocked by her friend's gift, but Nia, who is herself a wildlife professional, had purchased and adorned  long-deceased birds so no animals were harmed in the process of creating this unique nuptial gift.

Extras show some more of the wedding, the lake and a couple of darters who were getting it together on the back of my hand but hadn't yet formed the requisite heart-shaped union.