Image Showcase: Spotted Owlets roosting in a hollow tree

Spotted Owlets have always been something of an enigma to me. I’ve encountered quite a few during my time in India, but the sightings have been scattered and unpredictable, and I had never found myself in a position to make an image I was truly happy with. On this particular morning, however, I got far more than I had bargained for.

This tree is quite well-known within Bharatpur for hosting a pair of these beautiful little Owlets but I, as always seems to be the case, wasn’t really on the lookout for this species. My eyes were, instead, set on a pair of Sarus Cranes that were bellowing out their otherworldly calls on the other side of this massive field. When my guide brought this cavity to my attention, though, I just couldn’t resist.