Family portrait.
NORTHUMBERLAND ENCHANTING images of an adorable barn owl family stacked on top of each other have been captured.
Images show the fluffy owlets perched on top of a log with their heads vertically huddled together in Kielder Forest, Northumberland.
Other pictures show one baby owl nestled inside a tree trunk while the other owlet stands on top with their parent.
There is no breeding season for barn owls, It is estimated breeding pairs of barn owls exceed 10,000 across the UK.
Some images show the little owlet that is just a few weeks old being protected by its parents.
Barn owlets quickly develop a very thin covering of fluffy down feathers and by five weeks of age, they get their characteristic heart-shaped face.
At this age, they are also very playful. Much like kittens, they run, jump, pounce, hiss and move their heads in a comical manner, even turning their heads upside down.
These precious moments of this barn owl family were captured by Kurt S Mueller (79), a British wildlife photographer.
“It is amazing to observe the little owlets, especially at this very young age, when they seem pretty clumsy and constantly collapse in a heap,” he told mediadrumworld.com.
“Help is always at hand from the female to keep them warm for the first couple of weeks.
“The images show owlets at around 7-10 days old.
“After 3 weeks, the thicker down replaces the birth down.
“The male hunts small mammals to help rear the owlets.
“The owlets don’t shriek when calling for food like other birds, but they do have a very specific call.”
ENDS