The long eared owl hidden, COUNTY DURHAM, ENGLAND, CAPTIVATING images of a Long-eared owl hidden among snowy branches have been captured. Images show the handsome owl intensely staring back at the camera with its bright orange-coloured eyes.
Other pictures show the side profile of the owl as it blends into the background. Long-eared owls are medium-sized birds, smaller than wood pigeons, with a wingspan of up to 95cm and measuring up to 37cm in length. There are up to 6000 breeding pairs in the UK. If a Long-eared owl is disturbed during a day roost, it raises its ear tufts, compress its feathers tightly against its body, camouflaging itself as tree bark. These shots were captured by soldier Chris Gee (37) from County Durham, England. Chris captured the hard to spot owl in Wheatley Hill, County Durham on his Nikon D500 and Sigma 150-600 Lens. “I felt absolutely buzzing,” said Chris. “ Long eared owls are my favourite of the 5 native species we have in the UK. “Just the fact I got them with a bit of snow to give it the festive feeling. “Their beauty and behaviour make owls fantastic to photograph. “Before I got there I saw movement and spotted a lone Long eared owl roosting. “With its head about the canopy and with the snow on the trees I had to get the shot. “It is distant and in the early morning light but I’m happy with the result. “The way owls behave and characteristics of them make them amazing to watch, hunt and roost.” ENDS.