Search Engine Optimisation? I think not.

It's been a bit of a hectic week for Yours Truly, much more frenetic than normal and with various minor disasters along the way. To be fair, 'hectic' is a relative term, but we are where we are, so let's just say that on the Continuum of Hect, I haven't been near the middle.

As is often the case, one tiny thing can change the mood, a brief encounter that restores default settings. And, as is also the case, things tend to get much worse before they become better.

So, after a working week of being hither, thither and yon, flicking between part time jobs and projects like the television when Our Lass has the remote control, I was beginning to unwind during the journey home, listening to Test Match Special on the car radio.

Glancing left, across farm pastures and rough ground, I noticed a bird perched on a fence post not too far from the road. Double taking, I realised that it was a Short-eared Owl, at eminently photographable range. With all thoughts of chilling out forgotten, my adrenalin levels put their boots back on and wearily reached for their hard hats. I was only three miles from home, so...  barely ten minutes later I was back in position but, this time, in the company of Cameron Bins and Very Wrong Len. I turned the car around and slowly coasted to a stop, so that with the passenger window open, I had a reasonable view of the field, but the camera and I were not too obvious.

The owl was still on the same fence post, scanning the long grass for mice or voles, its head turning this way and that, steadfastly ignoring me, other traffic and various Oystercatchers.

Over the years, I have seen countless folks' photos of raptors, waders and owls sat on fence posts. I must admit to wondering whether they were putting in some serious hours to capture the images or whether it was a matter of right place, right time.

Now I knew...