On our Montana trips I’m always looking for Short-eared Owls but sadly, unlike just a few years ago when they were relatively abundant, they’re virtually nonexistent in the Centennial Valley these days. I’m pretty much convinced their absence is largely due to all the cattle (mostly yearlings who are the juvenile delinquents of the bovine world and they really tore up the place) that were allowed to graze Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge a couple of years ago. The sagebrush habitat used by the owls for nesting at the west end of the refuge was devastated. I’m not a fan of cattle on public lands for a variety of reasons but that’s another long and complicated story…
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500. Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
So last week while I was up there I had pretty much accepted the fact that I wouldn’t see any owls and as expected I didn’t see any on the refuge or in the Centennial Valley, though I looked very hard for them.
But one morning along semi-abandoned old Highway 91 on the border between Montana and Idaho and a little southeast of the refuge I encountered two of them hunting along that old road that I have many memories of as a kid before the freeway was put in. Both birds were actively hunting as they flew for a minute or two and then repeatedly landed on some of the very old fence posts lining the road. They were usually side-lit while perched but this one turned a couple of degrees to its left as it took off – just enough to nicely light up the bird against the dark background.
I like the timing of this shot with the tips of the talons barely touching the post as the owl pushes off.
Based on the relatively light colors both dorsally and ventrally (that I mostly noticed in other images) I believe this owl was a male but there’s some overlap in plumage color and these owls are not reliably sexed by plumage.
Ron
Note: If you’d like to see what the Short-eared Owl situation on the refuge was like before the cows were allowed to graze you may be interesting in checking out the following older posts:
When I opened your post it just happened that the photos of the short-eared owl were showing off their acrobatic skills in your header. Perfect timing, as is this shot.
What an incredible angle. As I watched I found myself leaning forward with the owl. And mourning for all those displaced by the cattle.
timing IS everything!!!! Well done!!!
Looks like a jet fighter ready to launch. So fabulous.
Your comments disturb me…I’ve been very much against PRIVATE use (running cattle) on public lands for years. There’s no way the public profits from this, but private parties do…How can this be “right”….the cost to the public is HUGE! Unfortunately, most people don’t realize, or care, how destructive cattle can be…and I’m not just talking about ground-nesting birds and those who nest in low-growing vegetation.f They also restrict the public’s usage of these PUBLIC lands. I’ve found this to be true over and over and over and have always resented this. The image of the owl, talons dug in, pushing for takeoff, is wonderful! Sad that such a sight has become rare.
Patty – a little background as it applies specifically to cattle on the refuge (as opposed to grazing leases on BLM and Forest Service lands).
It’s my understanding that running cattle on the refuge is an honest attempt to “improve” the habitat – the theory being that grazing cattle may mimic the natural effects of the grazing bison who are not now found in the area. The cattle are only allowed to graze a particular area every third year. True, the NWRA makes money from the ranchers whose cattle graze there but I don’t believe profit is their primary motivation. How well it works (habitat improvement) is debatable as far as I know but I do know that the sagebrush steppe habitat in the area that is used for SEO nesting (and also by Sage Grouse) was significantly degraded by the trampling cattle and I haven’t seen any owls (not one) in that particular area since the cattle were there and I’ve only seen one other owl on the refuge since then (far away from where the cattle were and the owls used to be common).
Gorgeous Photograph. I love the body extension and the profile of the entire bird. Just lovely.
Thank you, Angela.
Beautiful shot Ron. Great eye, action, clarity. This shot has everything.
Thanks very much, Ellen.
Wow, perfect timing. I did not know owls could perform ballet steps…
Great shot.
They can do the “ballet steps” Jorge, but they do them so fast that they’re easy to miss. Thank you.
Nice Capture Ron !
Thank you, John.
A fantastic shot Ron and you bring some interesting information that I was unaware of. I didn’t even know this practice existed.
Charlotte
Charlotte, apparently it’s a relatively common practice on refuges. They also run cattle on Farmington Bay WMA in the summer.
Beautiful shot Ron!
I’m glad you liked it, Jean. Thanks.