Barn owl

I was off to the sprint cycle class first thing and as I returned the sun came out.  A chat with a friend and then a little weeding on the allotment.  As the weather was still sunny I decided to go for a late afternoon stroll around the estuary and then to see if I could see the Barn Owl that has been spotted in the area.  

I wasn't sure exactly where but when I spotted a group of photographers and a few birders they confirmed they were waiting for it to arrive.  It was usually out soon after 3.30pm but over an hour later it still hadn't turned up.  The light was starting to go and we were getting fairly cold.  It was still a little while yet but suddenly it appeared.  I hadn't seen an owl in flight before and it was a lovely sight.  It quickly flew along searching for food and then swept by heading in another direction.  I followed it with some of the others and then it disappeared into the undergrowth.  It had apparently caught something and was eating it.  I couldn't see it but others just caught sight of something white as it lifted its head.  Eventually I spotted it when it waved its wings and flew off.  It was getting fairly dark by then so I quickly headed back home.

Will be great to see it again and capture it with better settings.  It appeared so suddenly I forgot to use the zoom and then used the wrong dials for speed and ISO.  Nevertheless it was lovely to see my first owl in the wild.