Snowy Owl
Today is the last day of March and snow has only just cleared from the Pennine hills. The heaviest fall of snow this winter was on the 4th March when five inches fell in less than four hours. I was in the unique position of being able to observe roosting Long Eared Owls and how they coped with a severe blizzard. The snow would accumulate on their backs and heads and then every few minutes they would shake it off vigorously and then wait for it to accumulate again. Todays photo illustrates the terrible conditions that they had to endure. If you look carefully you can even see the ice on the ear tuft making it wilt. The gallery includes other photos taken during the blizzard. click here