Juvenile Burrowing Owl Walking The High-wire

This gutsy little juvenile Burrowing Owl pulled off at least one maneuver that might make the Flying Wallendas jealous.

For the sake of convenience I’m going to refer to this owl as a male even though I have no idea what sex it is.

 

burrowing owl 2995 ron dudley

 1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 1250, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in 

This was one of at least six juveniles I photographed at a burrow in Box Elder County two days ago.  Most often the owls would perch on the very old fence posts with rusty barbed wire stretched between them but a couple of the juveniles liked to push their luck by landing on the bare wire which didn’t give them a stable perch in the breeze that was occasionally fairly stiff. When this bird first landed it seemed stable enough but then it made the mistake of trying to turn on the perch and when it did it struggled to maintain its balance.

Let me set the stage for what happened next. Several feet to the right there’s a large old wooden post with lots of barbed wire wrapped around it. At one place in front (relative to the bird) of the post two wires cross in a way that would provide a much more stable perch for the owl. Almost certainly this little guy had perched there before and was well aware that if he reached the crossed wires he’d have a stable platform. So he decided to make his way in that direction.

 

 

burrowing owl 3006 ron dudley

  1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 1250, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in 

And he chose to attempt to walk the wire rather than fly, at least at first. He began to carefully place one foot in front of the other but balance was still an issue so he used his wings as an aid.

 

 

burrowing owl 3009 ron dudley

  1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 1250, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in 

His concentration on the wire was intense and I’m pretty sure he was also trying to avoid the sharp barbs so once…

 

 

burrowing owl 3010 ron dudley

  1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 1250, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in 

he performed a little Wallenda-like hop on the wire…

 

 

burrowing owl 3012 ron dudley

  1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 1250, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in 

but landed on one of the barbs. The barb element sticking up went between his toes but he had to grasp the wire tightly and I believe he may have felt the pain underneath from the bottom element of the barb.

 

 

burrowing owl 3020 ron dudley

  1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 1250, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in 

He lifted his foot and decided there must be a better way.

 

 

burrowing owl 3040 ron dudley

  1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 1250, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in 

He apparently remembered that he was a bird and birds can fly so he lifted off briefly…

 

 

burrowing owl 3041 ron dudley

  1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 1250, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in 

and flew the last couple of feet to the crossed wires that would provide a more stable perch (naturally I caught him with his eyes closed as he landed…)

 

 

burrowing owl 3042 ron dudley

  1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 1250, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in

He began to hook his toes over both wires where they crossed…

 

 

burrowing owl 3050 ron dudley

  1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 1250, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in 

and then settled in on his more comfortable perch for a few minutes before taking off on yet another practice flight.

All of this occurred within a span of just a few seconds and really gave my camera a workout. I took 55 shots of the bird as it struggled on the wire and then hopped and flew toward the post and I was happy that most of them were sharp. Though this is a behavioral series I like a few of these images well enough (the second one especially) that they could serve as stand-alones.

Ron

33 Comments

  1. You hooked me, Ron! Here I was minding my own business, trying to find more information about ravens, while serendipitously I came across your blog. My wife and I love our raven family that put up with us here in CT. Now back to your superb photography and endearing commentary. Thank you, sir!

  2. That final shot is the story clencher. “I meant to do that” is what I see. 😀

  3. Ron– You’re not only an incredibly skilled nature photographer, but you write great catch titles (or “hooks/ snags”), and you write interesting, informative text with a delightful sense of integrity and humor, all of which is completely devoid of arrogance. I think this is why we love you…..(PS. I’m arrogant, but then I should be!)

  4. My face hurts.
    I have been smiling so broadly I may have strained a cheek muscle or two.
    Love it.
    And that final shot says v clearly to me that the owlet is telling you that ‘you didn’t see ANY of that. Bloody bird papparazzi can’t be trusted. The one time I do something a teeny weeny bit lacking in grace they are there…’

    • And, Ellie Baby, if burrowing owls won’t do it, try warthogs…I find them next best…..

    • EC, I remember getting that same look from my daughter when she was quite young when I caught her in some kind of mischief but she didn’t know for sure if I’d seen it. She could look so innocent…

  5. What a great experience. Thank you for sharing it via your wonderful photos.

  6. These pictures and your narrative made my day better. Thank you!

  7. Hi Ron,
    Wonderful images. Not only do you have great photographic and artistic skills, you have the natural history knowledge that allows you to “be there” to capture the moment. Thank you for sharing.

    And, looking closely at the owl’s feet, I got to thinking about the Wallendas – since their skills covered multiple generations, maybe they had a gene for a human form of zygodactylism…? 🙂 🙂
    Cheers,
    Dick

    • “maybe they had a gene for a human form of zygodactylism…?”

      That brings an image to my mind, Dick – of humans with feet that have toes both in front and in back of the foot. Shoes would have to be redesigned but it surely would have been an aid to the Wallenda family!

  8. God these birds are funny!!! I find MOST baby animals not only cute but usually pretty darn funny! I love the look of intense concentration and the so, so careful placement of the feet…then the “See…I did it ..you doubted me? look of almost smug satisfaction in the last frame. I love the series and think several of these shots could stand alone. If I were you,I’d print up a whole bunch of Burrowing owl images, and paper my walls with them, especially my bedroom, and wake up with a laugh every morning…..

    • I love your wallpaper idea, Patty. For me it would fix any rotten mood I might be in. I can’t look at these and not smile.

    • “If I were you,I’d print up a whole bunch of Burrowing owl images, and paper my walls with them”

      I’d do it if I could, Patty. You deserve it!

  9. Wonderful series Ron. What a great story!
    Len

  10. Great series. Your narrative really made me laugh. Thank you Ron

  11. Steven E Hunnicutt

    Can’t say enough how much I enjoy your pictures, and how good they are, such a talent you have.

  12. That series can’t help but put a smile on your face to start the day. Thanks

  13. This series is absolutely priceless! It’s fun to watch birds learning new skills, but most don’t seem to be quite as cute, crazy and personable as the young Burrowing Owls. Thanks for making my morning with these.

  14. he last photo you show today of the burrowing owl – a true work of art. Just beautiful. An OMG! photo.

  15. OMGosh… I think I’m in luv! ♥
    Again… thank you for sharing with us.

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