I’ve been watching for Burrowing Owl fledglings in northern Utah for a couple of weeks with no luck until yesterday morning. Don’t expect high quality photos of them (they were too far away and mostly hidden in vegetation) but I was able to document their emergence from a burrow and that alone was an exciting event for me.
I watched as an adult owl carried a vole to the burrow so I stopped my pickup and scoped it with my lens. Sure enough, for the first time this year I was able to see very young Burrowing Owls. Two of them are clearly visible (though out of focus) here as one of the adults flies off.
Here’s two more of them – one in plain view and the other difficult to see.
I’ve looked forward with anticipation to the emergence of young Burrowing Owls because they’re so darned much fun to watch and photograph. They’re loaded to the gills with personality and I can hardly wait to experience their antics once again.
Though I was excited to see these young owls yesterday I had significantly more luck getting quality images of the adults.
1/3200, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Early in the morning I found this one perched on a leaning corner fence post near the road. In my mind I called this bird “Bloody Bill” for obvious reasons. Apparently this adult owl had recent success in hunting voles for its chicks.
1/3200, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
When it eventually took off it did so at an angle that gave me a good profile view of the dynamics of takeoff. In the relatively soft early morning light I had just about the right combination of camera settings (shutter speed, aperture and ISO) to capture the action as best I could. I was happy to not screw up an opportunity like this one.
All in all it was a great morning – good light, good birds, good company and my first Burrowing Owl chicks of the year. And in a surprise and pleasant conclusion to the morning we had lunch with friends Neil Rossmiller and his wife Connie on our way out of the area.
I wish every day in the field was as successful and enjoyable.
Ron
Oooooh.
On this side of the world you have coloured me jealous. Again. I fear the wind has changed and I am stuck there.
I do love owls. Any owls. And the beauteous burrowing owls are icing on the cake. With several cherries on top. And chocolate.
Love those chicks. Looking forward to seeing more of them.
I hope I have some luck with a few of those young owls, Karen. Finding them is only the beginning of the process of getting quality shots of them.
“I wish every day in the field was as successful and enjoyable.”
Ditto, that sentiment, Ron.
Achieving one of two target species and lunch with friends to boot, Priceless!
What a pleasant surprise it was to find you two out there, Neil. Great way to top of a morning.
I wondered when you would find burrowing owls, this is the time they start to pop up from the burrow. I have noticed they time their emergence here about the same time you start to see grasshoppers. I was hoping to get out this weekend to see if a usually successful burrow was again this year. The last 2 years they raised 8 owlets.
April, I’ve been seeing Burrowing Owls for some time now but these were my first young ones of the season. I hope your health issue has improved so you can get out and look for them before the long weekend’s over.
Thanks again for some wonderful photos. I agree with Dick that love you have for what you are doing is so evident. The eagerness and patience also shows. It’s so nice for all of us that you are willing to share. Thanks Ron, I look forward to my cup of coffee and your blog each morning.
I’m happy to contribute to your morning, Carol. Thank you.
You do amazing work with your photography. I don’t photograph a lot of birds but I always enjoy and appreciate your work. Also, you had posted wild horses a couple years back and I can’t remember where you said they were. It sounded like they were within easy reach and not needed a 4 wheel drive. Can you let me know the location and if it is easy to find and also what time of year. Thanks!
Susan, my session with those horses was several years ago and a friend took me out there. All I remember is that they were in the west desert, perhaps southwest of Tooele. I suspect they’re still out there but they can be tricky to find.
Those shots of the wild mustangs were a SUPER TREAT for me…sure hope we get to see more of them some day…..
Great shots of a cute owl!
The love of what you do along with years of experience, time and patience, man you have those items in spades!
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the kind words, Dick.
Definitely a great day! The Burrowing Owls bring a smile to my face even when they aren’t going through their antics. And your out of focus shots are wonderful compared to what I can do. I think it’s time to educate you as a biologist, though: birds don’t have gills! (I know, I know, it’s just an expression, but I couldn’t resist…) 😀
I figured someone might jump me on that one, Susan… 🙂
Thanks Ron for the post.
You must have lightning reflexes and great understanding of them to click them when they are just about to fly.
Thanks for putting this together
“You must have lightning reflexes”
Quick reflexes certainly help, Nikhil, but even more important than that is reading behaviors that often signal imminent takeoff. These little owls are fast!
Wonderful shot, Ron! They are cuties for sure focus be damned! Smiling ear to ear at the moment. 🙂
Judy, this was a situation where I just couldn’t get all three birds in focus and have enough shutter speed for flight. I’m glad you enjoy the image anyway – thanks.
Jo Ann said itall for me…can only be an echo….ANY image of a Burrowing Owl is a good one in ky eyes…these are wonderful!!!.
Thanks very much, Patty.
Oh my, Ron!! What a wonderful day you had!! I absolutely love Burrowing Owls and the chicks are every much as fun to see in your photos though can’t match what you get to observe out in the field. I don’t care a bit if they aren’t in perfect focus – I LOVE your captures of them. As for the Parent – a big WOW from me!! Could look at these captures of yours all day!! I’m SO happy for your success yesterday and look forward to more captures of these little clowns!!
Clowns they are, Jo Ann – the young birds especially. Thank you.