precarious lives

Like last winter I've started to notice birds leading precarious lives close to the sides of roads, flying up in front of me at the last moment. This morning at 5.30 on my way to work I came across a Tawny Owl sitting on the white lines in the middle of the road at Betws Bledrws. It only flew off when I pulled right up close and started to get out of the car with the intention of moving it.