Juvenile Burrowing Owl Playing Peekaboo

Sometimes I can’t explain well why I like an image – it just “grabs” me for some reason. In this case it’s for what I perceived as personal interaction with me.

 

burrowing owl 5742 ron dudley1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon  EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in

I photographed this juvenile Burrowing Owl two months ago in Box Elder County, Utah. It was still very young, inexperienced, awkward and curious about the world it had so recently been exposed to. At times it was a little unstable on this precarious perch so it would occasionally use its wings for balance.

But I had the distinct impression that this time was a little different. It held its left wing in this position and peered at me over the top of it, almost as if it thought it was hiding from me behind its own wing as it covertly checked me out. Every time I look at the image it reminds me of the big smile on my face as I watched this youngster through my lens and wondered what was going on in its quirky little mind.

Sometimes my photos are as much about the memories as they are about the images themselves.

Ron

21 Comments

  1. Charlotte Norton

    Love it!

    Charlotte

  2. Hi Ron, I shoot with the same camera and a 100-400 & 1.4 tc. I was wondering if you shoot on AV or Manual? And do you handhold mostly, or use a tripod with gimbal head? thanks

    • Judy, I always shoot in aperture priority and seldom use a tripod though I do have a sturdy one with a gimbal head when I need it. Typically I’m shooting from my pickup window so I stabilize my lens there.

  3. Peek-a-boo, I see you!!!
    What an amazing, heart-warming smile producing image (and memory).
    Thanks Ron.
    This post didn’t show up in my feeder this morning. I am so glad that my suspicious mind led me to explore.

  4. Why wouldn’t young owls behave similarly to young children? Young children think they can’t be seen when they hide like that. The pose reminds me of one that people strike when they are pretending they’re ready to start running. I’m surprised the bird is able to stand on the wire where he is, because it looks like its foot should be wrapped around a barb, given the positioning of the barbs on the wire. Altogether an intriguing photo.

    • I was thinking the same thing…

    • Susan, sometimes these owls would actually wrap one foot around a barb while they were on the wire. I think it gave them more to hold on to so it was slightly easier to remain upright and not begin to fall off.

  5. Just in from doing some Hurricane/Tropical Storm prep only to see this precious little guy giving you the “eye”, Ron !! Totally took me away from what we may be facing in FL (your daughter may have to be doing some prep now too)!! I also loved your “memories” the photo brings to mind. It’s what makes your blog so special – your words bring your experience to life for us.

  6. Oh, boy! Each time you come up with a new “winner” featuring one of these hilarious little clowns, I’m convinced there’s no way to top it…but, inevitably, the next one does! This has got to be one of the best ever!!! This owlet must think he’s “Zorro”….

  7. It’s a delightful image. It puts me in mind of a juvenile Lothario practicing his “cape stares” for the school play. 🙂

  8. Strike a pose!
    A delightful moment and a great photo. Thanks for sharing both!

Comments are closed