Little Owls
Little Owls get to you. They are cute, funny, comical, amazing little characters with unique personalities. Unlike other owls, who do their level best to pretend that you do not exist, Little Owls are incredibly inquisitive and really connect with you. They stare, they bob up and down, they stand comically upright, they do little hops, everything they do seems fun. They are an all action owl, the tough nut of the owl family, fun to watch, part of our agricultural heritage and never fail to raise a smile. They are very visible owls too as many Little Owl families live right on our own doorstep, making their homes in old buildings, and barns. They are very much part of our countryside life and many many people have a special place in the hearts for them. As with all my books, this is a very personal journey for me. I want you all to love Little Owls as much as I do, for these charming owls are in trouble and need our help.
Little Owls are fun and I hope that you have a smile on your face after looking at the pictures in this book.
I can remember the first time a Little Owl cast its spell over me. I had found my first nest - a broken bough had left a hole about five feet from the ground on a friend's estate in deepest Surrey. I was in the hide early, slowly the dawn rose around me and the light started to paint patterns on the bark of the tree. Suddenly I become aware of a feeling of being watched, of being observed by someone… or something unseen. And then I saw the eye. Watching me from the dark shadows of the nest hole was a beady eye, fixed firmly down the barrel of my lens. It watched, unblinking and I returned the favour. After a few minutes, with the typical curiosity of Little Owls that I have grown to love so much, a very young owlet shuffled out of the shadows. It looked ridiculous, like its feathers were too big for it, with tufts of down on its head and unfeasibly large feet. I was hooked and to this day I always have a special place in my heart for Little Owls.
In this book I want to explore the tough life of a Little Owl by looking at three very different families. I have worked with many more of course, but these three have a story to tell in the pages of this book. The images that you see here are a culmination of ten years work, sharing intimate moments with them and the highs & lows during their daily struggle for life. Little Owls never venture far from their home, they are very much “owls in the hood” and I really enjoy the challenge of finding novel ways to photograph them and their antics.
Little Owls are also enduring survivors. They were present in the UK during both ice ages and were protected by the ancient Greeks who associated them with Athene, the god of wisdom. Over time, the Little Owl population dwindled in the UK until they were rarely seen and then subsequently they were re-introduced from Europe in the 19th Century. Since then they have thrived, occupying a vital niche in our countryside and becoming one of our most visible and charismatic birds of prey. But this wonderful owl is in trouble. Its population is declining across its entire range and, because of the perception that it was introduced, funding is just not there for research into the problem. It seems to me that we have double standards here: we can happily spend a small fortune re-introducing sea eagles, beavers and cranes, but the poor Little Owl gets virtually nothing, despite the fact that it has been here since the ice age. But Little Owls evoke passion in those that work with them and they have some very dedicated friends. Dr Emily Joáchim from Reading University, aided by the Hawk & Owl Trust, has been researching Little Owls for over three years. She is as passionate about Little Owls, as I am, and dedicated to their conservation. For this reason I have asked her to write the Saving the Little Owl section later in this book. It’s compelling reading and a wonderful insight into how you can help to ensure that the Little Owl remains a valuable part of our countryside.
So there you have it. Just like the subject of this book, this introduction has been short, yet packed with passion. Now come with me into the world of the Little Owl and I guarantee, that before the end of the book, you will be smiling. This is the wonderful appeal of the Little Owl, I love them and hopefully you will too!
Little Owls get to you. They are cute, funny, comical, amazing little characters with unique personalities. Unlike other owls, who do their level best to pretend that you do not exist, Little Owls are incredibly inquisitive and really connect with you. They stare, they bob up and down, they stand comically upright, they do little hops, everything they do seems fun. They are an all action owl, the tough nut of the owl family, fun to watch, part of our agricultural heritage and never fail to raise a smile. They are very visible owls too as many Little Owl families live right on our own doorstep, making their homes in old buildings, and barns. They are very much part of our countryside life and many many people have a special place in the hearts for them. As with all my books, this is a very personal journey for me. I want you all to love Little Owls as much as I do, for these charming owls are in trouble and need our help.
Little Owls are fun and I hope that you have a smile on your face after looking at the pictures in this book.
I can remember the first time a Little Owl cast its spell over me. I had found my first nest - a broken bough had left a hole about five feet from the ground on a friend's estate in deepest Surrey. I was in the hide early, slowly the dawn rose around me and the light started to paint patterns on the bark of the tree. Suddenly I become aware of a feeling of being watched, of being observed by someone… or something unseen. And then I saw the eye. Watching me from the dark shadows of the nest hole was a beady eye, fixed firmly down the barrel of my lens. It watched, unblinking and I returned the favour. After a few minutes, with the typical curiosity of Little Owls that I have grown to love so much, a very young owlet shuffled out of the shadows. It looked ridiculous, like its feathers were too big for it, with tufts of down on its head and unfeasibly large feet. I was hooked and to this day I always have a special place in my heart for Little Owls.
In this book I want to explore the tough life of a Little Owl by looking at three very different families. I have worked with many more of course, but these three have a story to tell in the pages of this book. The images that you see here are a culmination of ten years work, sharing intimate moments with them and the highs & lows during their daily struggle for life. Little Owls never venture far from their home, they are very much “owls in the hood” and I really enjoy the challenge of finding novel ways to photograph them and their antics.
Little Owls are also enduring survivors. They were present in the UK during both ice ages and were protected by the ancient Greeks who associated them with Athene, the god of wisdom. Over time, the Little Owl population dwindled in the UK until they were rarely seen and then subsequently they were re-introduced from Europe in the 19th Century. Since then they have thrived, occupying a vital niche in our countryside and becoming one of our most visible and charismatic birds of prey. But this wonderful owl is in trouble. Its population is declining across its entire range and, because of the perception that it was introduced, funding is just not there for research into the problem. It seems to me that we have double standards here: we can happily spend a small fortune re-introducing sea eagles, beavers and cranes, but the poor Little Owl gets virtually nothing, despite the fact that it has been here since the ice age. But Little Owls evoke passion in those that work with them and they have some very dedicated friends. Dr Emily Joáchim from Reading University, aided by the Hawk & Owl Trust, has been researching Little Owls for over three years. She is as passionate about Little Owls, as I am, and dedicated to their conservation. For this reason I have asked her to write the Saving the Little Owl section later in this book. It’s compelling reading and a wonderful insight into how you can help to ensure that the Little Owl remains a valuable part of our countryside.
So there you have it. Just like the subject of this book, this introduction has been short, yet packed with passion. Now come with me into the world of the Little Owl and I guarantee, that before the end of the book, you will be smiling. This is the wonderful appeal of the Little Owl, I love them and hopefully you will too!
Little Owls get to you. They are cute, funny, comical, amazing little characters with unique personalities. Unlike other owls, who do their level best to pretend that you do not exist, Little Owls are incredibly inquisitive and really connect with you. They stare, they bob up and down, they stand comically upright, they do little hops, everything they do seems fun. They are an all action owl, the tough nut of the owl family, fun to watch, part of our agricultural heritage and never fail to raise a smile. They are very visible owls too as many Little Owl families live right on our own doorstep, making their homes in old buildings, and barns. They are very much part of our countryside life and many many people have a special place in the hearts for them. As with all my books, this is a very personal journey for me. I want you all to love Little Owls as much as I do, for these charming owls are in trouble and need our help.
Little Owls are fun and I hope that you have a smile on your face after looking at the pictures in this book.
I can remember the first time a Little Owl cast its spell over me. I had found my first nest - a broken bough had left a hole about five feet from the ground on a friend's estate in deepest Surrey. I was in the hide early, slowly the dawn rose around me and the light started to paint patterns on the bark of the tree. Suddenly I become aware of a feeling of being watched, of being observed by someone… or something unseen. And then I saw the eye. Watching me from the dark shadows of the nest hole was a beady eye, fixed firmly down the barrel of my lens. It watched, unblinking and I returned the favour. After a few minutes, with the typical curiosity of Little Owls that I have grown to love so much, a very young owlet shuffled out of the shadows. It looked ridiculous, like its feathers were too big for it, with tufts of down on its head and unfeasibly large feet. I was hooked and to this day I always have a special place in my heart for Little Owls.
In this book I want to explore the tough life of a Little Owl by looking at three very different families. I have worked with many more of course, but these three have a story to tell in the pages of this book. The images that you see here are a culmination of ten years work, sharing intimate moments with them and the highs & lows during their daily struggle for life. Little Owls never venture far from their home, they are very much “owls in the hood” and I really enjoy the challenge of finding novel ways to photograph them and their antics.
Little Owls are also enduring survivors. They were present in the UK during both ice ages and were protected by the ancient Greeks who associated them with Athene, the god of wisdom. Over time, the Little Owl population dwindled in the UK until they were rarely seen and then subsequently they were re-introduced from Europe in the 19th Century. Since then they have thrived, occupying a vital niche in our countryside and becoming one of our most visible and charismatic birds of prey. But this wonderful owl is in trouble. Its population is declining across its entire range and, because of the perception that it was introduced, funding is just not there for research into the problem. It seems to me that we have double standards here: we can happily spend a small fortune re-introducing sea eagles, beavers and cranes, but the poor Little Owl gets virtually nothing, despite the fact that it has been here since the ice age. But Little Owls evoke passion in those that work with them and they have some very dedicated friends. Dr Emily Joáchim from Reading University, aided by the Hawk & Owl Trust, has been researching Little Owls for over three years. She is as passionate about Little Owls, as I am, and dedicated to their conservation. For this reason I have asked her to write the Saving the Little Owl section later in this book. It’s compelling reading and a wonderful insight into how you can help to ensure that the Little Owl remains a valuable part of our countryside.
So there you have it. Just like the subject of this book, this introduction has been short, yet packed with passion. Now come with me into the world of the Little Owl and I guarantee, that before the end of the book, you will be smiling. This is the wonderful appeal of the Little Owl, I love them and hopefully you will too!