Warton Mires

Jason // June 21 // 16 Comments

As the solar cycle approached the zenith of Summer Solstice the meadow glowed yellow, refracting the light of the sun as it arched below the Crag. Warton Mire, now bone dry and going to seed, felt the breathe of a breeze borne on the incoming tide from the coastal flats.

Spectral like, Barn Owl quartered the whispering grasses, plumage harvest gold, eyes dark pools. Seeking succour for a growing family. Sky clothed, Sycamore scented, she pirouetted through the midge filled air. Wired to the cosmos, she met her Shrew who embarked on one final adventure to a darker destiny.

See more field note updates...

  • Hello Owl!
    No wonder you’re known for your wisdom with such a large head. How beautiful to see you in flight 🫶🏼

    • Ha! Yes, Nicola commented on how it’s all about the head! It is rather striking isn’t it, if not the most aerodynamic design. I hear it’s due to the large eyes that are fixed in their sockets and need a fully rotatable head which in turn needs big muscles! All gorgeous though! 🙂

  • Stunning in beauty and pose. Hard to watch the demise of our tiny creatures sometimes and hard for the mind to concede it’s just nature, the cycle of life, but the sheer beauty the owl shows, and the grace and subtle way in which they hunt and carry away their prey, even seems to have an air of calm and gratitude along with it. Thank you, I could watch this stunning creature over and over.

    • Thank you Joanna, it’s a very enchanting animal and I look forward to spending many more evening in it’s company over the coming weeks. Yes, it can be tough to watch a hunter and I do like your thoughts that the owl seems to have an air of gratitude. Thank you.

  • What a thrilling sight of the owl quartering and the music was just a lovely rhythmic harmony of nature. Thank you for sharing Jason.

  • {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}
    About the Author Jason

    Jason follows his lifelong vocation as a countryside photographer who tries to catch the spirit of the places he visits. After decades working as a professional editorial photographer he now focuses much of his time on conceptual fine art photography, visual storytelling and in aiding others to follow their creative calling.

    >