In the early part of 2009 a couple of approachable Short-eared Owls were wintering on an old pit tip near Rotherham. I had been on a few occasions but on February 4th there had been a snow fall and the light in the afternoon was superb, being flat with no bright sun, but with light reflecting up from the snow on the ground. I took several 100 images as usual but this one just stood out due to the light, the birds wing position and its eyes focussed on the search for prey ahead. It has been one of my favourite images ever since in spite of having many years of Short-eared Owl photography close to home.

Canon 1D mark 3 with Canon 500 f4 lens

1/2500th second, ISO 320 at f4