Tawny Owl

I was on the way back home this evening, it was well after 8 and I was half way along a very old quiet and narrow country lane. This is one of those very deep lanes with high Devon banks.  The lane is fringed with old oak trees which makes the lane very dark even in the middle of the day. I suddenly saw a Tawny Owl fly cross the lane, that doesnt happen often. Tawny Owls are common (probably) but they are nocturnal and secretive so you dont see them even when you know they are somewhere nearby. Even in flight I saw it clearly, a rich brown colour with long wings and a round head. Quite a treat and perhaps a good opportunity for a photograph? I immediately pulled the car in to a gateway and walked back to where it had been. I realised that it was still there for certain because a pair of Robins where  going crazy, mobbing something in one of the old oaks…. I was certain it was there.  I have to be honest, I was surprised when I looked up high in  the oak and I could clearly see a silhouette looking down at me. The Robins were still going crazy, now joined by a blackbird or two. I can say without hesitation, if you hear birds alarming constantly in a tree or shrub, then they have become aware of an owl and its a good way for you to find it. The only problem was that it was getting dark and the bird was just a shape high in a tree. I tried very hard to get a decent photograph but conditions were not in the least bit favourable. I have photographed Tawny Owls before but regardless of the low shutter speed and equally low light,  this improves on my previous attempt to photograph an adult bird. However,  I did photograph 3 youngsters recently at my friends woodland.