An owl hijacked a photoshoot when he flapped away a photographer and took position behind the lens of a camera.
Paul Kingston had been taking some pictures of a rare baby bird when the large five-year-old eagle owl called Splodge swooped down and pushed him to one-side.
It was a shock to both Paul and keeper Bryan Wintersgill because despite the Eurasian eagle owl’s boldness in taking over the shoot he is a shy bird by nature.
An eye for a picture: Splodge the eagle owl takes aim after interrupting a photoshoot
Watch the birdie: The snaps were taken at the Kirkleathan Owl and endangered species Centre in North Yorkshire
Owl keeper Bryan, 21, said: ‘We couldn’t believe it. Paul was trying to take some pictures of baby owl Lartch when Splodge just appeared out of nowhere.
‘It completely threw us, he looked very serious behind the camera, as though he was lining up a shot.
‘Despite the fact Splodge is so big, he is terrified of other birds, and he is very timid. So this was a surprise.’
The snaps were taken at the Kirkleathan Owl and endangered species Centre in North Yorkshire which houses a variety of birds from across the country.
Bryan added: ‘Splodge can be a little grumpy some times, and he is really really clumsy. He is always flying into things.
rivals: Photographer Paul Kingston was surprised by the intrusion of Splodge
Ruling the roost: Splodge is usually a timid bird, said his keeper, but pushily got behind the lens
‘He tends to aim for something and then completely miss it. But in this instance he has aimed for the camera, and landed perfectly.’
Long-eared owl Lartch is just a baby at six-months owl and Paul, 32, of County Durham, had arrived at the centre in the hope of taking some cute pictures of the chick.
Paul, 33, who works for North News and Pictures, said: ‘All of a sudden, out of nowhere I felt a waft and thud on the camera, to my shock the owl landed on the barrel of my lens.
‘Once I’d moved way it took its perch on my tripod handed and to my amusement, it looked as though it was wanting to take pictures as the owl examined the camera.’
The owls are fed on a diet of chicken, which is their favourite, and can expect to live into their mid forties.
Centre of attention: Splodge wasn’t shy about hanging around after the intrusion
