I’m always thrilled to find a cooperative Burrowing Owl on the island. It hasn’t happened often this year.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I photographed this one in early May of this year as it perched in nice morning light. The background is the mudflats of the Great Salt Lake (you can see hints of blue water at the top of the frame). I sometimes think images of owls looking directly at the viewer with their (often) brightly colored eyes can be overdone but dang it, there’s just something about those big, bright eyes boring through you that pierces the soul (especially when the pupils are small).
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
At the last minute I decided to include this photo because it amuses me. When I took this shot the owl had looked up momentarily to check out another bird flying overhead (probably a Common Raven). Every time I look at the image it fools my brain a little because it looks like the beak is a nose and there’s a dark, open mouth beneath it.
Perhaps my brain is easier to fool than most. In fact, I’m fairly sure of it…
Ron
Hi! love the look of the Owl! Saying I think your funny,too. Love your photo’s! Have a great day!
I didn’t see the “nose” and “mouth” until you pointed them out. Now I can’t see the image any other way. The power of suggestion!
Ha! Gotcha, Justine!
I thought it looked like a Muppet mouth. 😀 This is a bird I’d love to see in the wild.
“I thought it looked like a Muppet mouth”
I see what you mean, Arwen.
I really see the Muppet mouth parallel but does this pattern fend off predators?
We humans might see it as cute.
I don’t know, Pam – this is new to me. Maybe someone else does.
Well Ron and Chris,
Ron = I would not have noticed that the patch of feathers under the bill looked like a mouth. My brain was more interested in “What is the bird looking at about it?”, which was a BIG question for the crows I raised and red-tailed hawk I housed and fed if something was higher than they were.
Chris – Is this apparent “mouth” marking a common sight on other small owls or other birds. I understand the idea as a scare/startle tactic like the big “eyes” on sphinx moth caterpillars.
Good question, Pam. I wondered the same thing.
Hi Pam & Ron: I know the Northern Pgymy Owl has markings on the back of its head, but they’re supposed to be “eyes” rather than a mouth. Having never seen a Burrowing Owl up close & personal, I don’t know if the marking that shows in Ron’s photo is a common trait–it just seemed like it would be a good predator deterrent for a bird that lives on the ground!
Thanks, Chris.
Wonderful shots Ron, thanks for sharing!
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
Perhaps my brain is easier to fool than most. In fact, I’m fairly sure of it…
To which I can only say, liar, liar, pants on fire.
Love the owl and am tickled by the illusion of the nose and mouth. Beauty and laughter are a most excellent combination.
“liar, liar, pants on fire”
I’ve always loved that rejoinder, EC. One of our local teachers (Lili Eskelsen) used that line on a lying local politician during a televised debate when she was running for some kind of position (can’t remember which one) and it went “viral” (I believe she had been an elementary school teacher and the line was perfect in that context). The publicity helped to give her some momentum and eventually she went on to become president of the National Education Association, the largest labor union in the United States (3.2 million members).
Thanks for the fond (though unintentional) memory.
Rather a lot of politicians obviously wear asbestos undergarments… And I love it when someone calls them on it. Yay for Lili.
You’re not telling me that some Australian politicians are like that too, are you EC? Say it ain’t so!
I am not going to risk my own nether regions by telling you that our politicians are all honest and outstanding citizens.
No you’re not easier than most. I had to point out to myself that the beak is the mouth, no matter what it looks like. It’s a fun photo. Looking back at the first photo, it could show the same nose and mouth – to my eyes/brain. I really like the first photo also, because of the intense gaze.
“No you’re not easier than most”
Maybe, maybe not, Susan. Either way I like to go with the flow and let the image take me where it does. It’s part of the fun.
Cute, and I have to agree, it does look like a nose and an open mouth!! VBG
Great time of year – so much to do and not enough time in the day!
Thanks for the chuckle!
Thank you, Dick. I hope the problems you had recently with commenting have been solved. If not, please let me know.
Sort of. Before, I could see my message after I sent it. I still cannot do that until you answer it. So, if you never answered my message I would not know whether you got it. It is not a real problem, probably used it as a crutch, but you asked if there are still problems, and that is the only one.
Ok, thanks. We’ll look into it some more. These problems some are having are a real pain but we really do try to solve them.
YOU’RE BACK!!!!!! YAY!!! HURRAY!!! and with one the world’d funniest (overly loved ?) birds….any shot of them is great!!!
“YOU’RE BACK!”
Actually, I’ve never been gone, Patty. I assume you’re referring to the problems you’ve been having commenting. If so, yes, I think we’ve fixed that issue, at least for you and some others.
And it’s easy to “overly love” Burrowing Owls, isn’t it?
You and the other (potential) predators are fooled by that big, scary mouth! 😉 I find Burrowing Owls’ faces–more so than those of their brethren –to be quite expressive, no matter what the pose. Great shots, Ron.
“I find Burrowing Owls’ faces–more so than those of their brethren –to be quite expressive, no matter what the pose.”
I agree, Chris – especially the youngsters. Thank you.
Ron , your sense of humor and whimsy is almost as wonderful as your photographic expertise !
I’m glad you enjoy both, Kris. Sometimes the former is a matter of taste…