PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID WHISTLECRAFT

This Barn Owl (Tyto Alba) was photographed hunting locally at Guist in Norfolk. As this bird approached head on, you can see the heart shaped face that funnels sound to its ears. Owls have very poor sight, but their hearing is so advanced that they can detect the sound on small rodents moving in the grass. A recent article claimed that under laboratory conditions in total darkness, a Barn Owl could detect the heartbeat of a vole 20 feet away!
The golden light of the sun set intensified the colours of this beautiful silent hunter.

Equipment: Canon Eos 1DsMk2, Canon 500mm F4L IS Lens.

Ref: Barn Owl

Date: 02/01/06

Location: Guist, Norfolk

Photographer: David Whistlecraft