Winner of the December competition...

[SamLouise]

... is Paulines7 I thought it was a fantastic photo and Pauline told me a little bit about it (but I will leave it to her to tell you) Congratulations, Pauline

Thank you to everybody who submitted a picture and also to those who took the time to vote

Entries belonged to:

1.   Toadspawn
2.   Grandma
3.   GP Girl
4.   Paulines7
5.   Carol
6.   Sunloving
7.   GwynnethMary
8.   Calendula
9.   Betula
10. Asj
11. Shirley
12. Me! (thank you to whoever voted, LOL)

I will let Pauline revel in her glory for a few days and then run the best of 2010 competition if that's ok with everyone

[calendula]

fantastic and well done - boo hoo I forgot to vote though, would have gone for 3, just loved those icicle lollipops  but liked them all

[Squash64]

Well done Paulines7, a lovely pic. 

[asj]

Well done, Paulines7.  Tell us about the pic, please!

[gwynnethmary]

Well done Pauline7- a great picture!  And I was quite chuffed to come joint 3rd- a bit like the three legged race when I was 11!

[manicscousers]

Congratulations, pauline, there were some really great pictures there 

[Fork]

That owl looks like one of those plastic bird scarers to me! 

[Borlotti]

It was very difficult to choose, I just loved the dog in the snow, and the sheep, and all of them, loved the owl, but he did look a bit stuffed.  Just hope it was a real owl. 

[lisaparkin]

Well done....all were great photos!!!!

[SamLouise]

Tsk @ owl comments!!!!!

I've seen a series of photos with that owl and others and they are very real - and very beautiful! 

[Paulines7]

Well, thank you everyone who voted for my owl photo.  I can assure you that the owls I have roosting in my garden are very real indeed.  Those beady eyes do look piercing but don't seem to scare the little birds as all my feeders are beneath the trees where the owls are!  I have been disecting their pellets and to an untrained eye there appears to be bones of voles and birds.  I have recently got a guide that I hope will help me with identification. 

I have put a thread about the owls in the Wildlife section.

See: http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,65183.msg662061.html#msg662061

Thanks again for your votes and congratulations to the runners up.

[betula]

Yes a great photo Pauline and you must have a great camera,it was so well defined.

I am not gonna mention my pic this time   

[Paulines7]

Yes a great photo Pauline and you must have a great camera,it was so well defined.

I am not gonna mention my pic this time   

Thank you Betula

It is not a good camera, but I was fortunate that the subject was so near.  Mine is just an ordinary instant digital camera.  My OH has a much better one; a bridge camera.  I often borrow his for shots that are further away but in this case my little one was good enough.

[betula]

Well good camera or not a well deserved win. 

[Paulines7]

Thank you Betula.

[lorna]

Congratulations Pauline. Great photo.

[cornykev]

Well done everyone and a big well done to Pauline who got my vote, Borlotti I can't believe you thought it was stuffed, you are a real hoot.           

[Borlotti]

I can only apologise for being such a twit.  Don't get any owls in Enfield, it was a wonderful picture, good enough for the Countryfile calender.

[betula]

This thread has made me laugh......have visions of Pauline climbing up a tree with a stuffed owl under her arm LOL 

I love you Borlotti  you always cheer me up LOL