In some spots, green shoots were already coming up. Spring seems to have arrived on the mainland too. The Short-eared Owls will be heading north before long.

Due to local rules, I had to shoot from an elevated position, so I wanted to get the rapeseed flowers in the background — but even sprawled flat on the ground, this was the best height I could manage… ^^;

A Short-eared Owl diving steeply on prey. The sharp talons are clearly visible. And as expected of an owl, the wings are remarkably long relative to the body.

The profile of a Short-eared Owl in flight is striking.

A Short-eared Owl the locals called "Shiro-chan."

Shaking off the raindrops.

It landed on a tree right in front of me. The Short-eared Owls at Yodogawa all seem completely unafraid of people.

It had a near-miss with a neighbouring individual overhead.