I seldom photograph Burrowing Owls on Antelope Island anymore. Most of their burrows are too far from the roads, the light angles are bad for morning photography and I will not approach their burrows on foot. Mostly I just observe them from a distance and enjoy the fact that they’re there.
1/4000, f/5.6, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
So it was a surprise to find this one fairly close to the road and in good light yesterday morning (it even chose a spot where I could include a few pretty flowers in the setting).
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
And I was happy to see it wasn’t banded.
Our weather pattern has been so gloomy and dismal for so long that I’ve done very little shooting but yesterday when a brief “sucker hole” appeared in the clouds I headed for the island (a 50 minute drive for me) to see if I’d get lucky with light. I was there for 2 1/2 hours and only had light for about thirty minutes but thankfully I photographed this owl in that brief window. It never happens that way!
Sadly I don’t think this owl will be in the burrow it has recently chosen for long. That burrow is waaaay too close to the road and as soon as it is “discovered” by the public the bird will be pressured too much and I’m sure it’ll be abandoned. That’s exactly what happened a few years ago when other Burrowing Owls occupied this burrow.
As a park employee once told me, this is what happens when these owls are “loved to death”.
Ron
Lucky you. I love the first photo. I agree, it stood in a perfect spot. In the 2nd photo I see little hearts in the shoulder area. Very nice!
How I love the owls. How I resent that they are loved to death.
I am so very glad that you saw this one and hope (with all of my heart) that he moves on before he mates this season.
I’ll be keeping an eye out, EC.
My wife and I found a pair on the Wisteria Waterfowl management area day before yesterday. It was mid-day and bright so the light was really hot, but of coarse had to take some shots of both. Yes, they are lots of fun to see, and I can understand the issue of loving them to death. Fortunately it does not appear this area gets much people pressure, except during hunting season. The area is pretty remote, on the east side of the Salton Sea, but really looks like an bird photo opportunity. Flooded wetlands most of the year.
Frank, You’re lucky to find one out and about in the middle of the day. Usually they spend that time in the burrow.
Great to see a wildflower (love the name–Red-stem Filaree–and fun to say). Much as I love Burrowing owls, I felt sad when I heard how close to the road the burrow was, knowing that photojerks and oafish oglers would force them to abandon it…and very possibly, their babies….
Patty, this owl has just moved in and I don’t believe it has a mate yet. I suspect it’ll move out long before any youngsters arrive.
Beautiful shots, Ron. I’ve never seen them other than photo’s. They, like the Barn Owls are “different” from others – no identification problems there.:) Can always hope folks will leave them along – asking a lot, I know. 🙁 Nice to see the wild flowers starting up also!
Judy, those little flowers (Red-stem Filaree) have been a long time coming – it’s been a long winter.
They’re all over our yard — more of them and dandelions than grass these days. 🙂
Great shots Ron!
Isn’t there a way to protect this burrow from people? Shame if they abandon the burrow.
“Isn’t there a way to protect this burrow from people?”
Not really, Dick. The burrow is only a couple of feet from the road.
Great shots! I never realized how long their legs are because I’ve only seen pictures in which they’re sort of hunkered down. Seems like an odd adaptation for a burrowing species. Alas, I fear you’re going to be right about the burrow.
You’re right about those legs, Marty. Thanks.
Charming photos. I especially like the 2nd one – the owl is tilted just so in the frame, echoed nicely by out-of-focus branch in the distance and the little pink wildflowers have a nice little feng shui threesome going on 🙂 Plus a great looking bird! What more could you want?
I am taking a trip to Florida in the beginning of April. I hope to see some of these guys in Cape Coral area. Without disturbing them of course 🙂
Good luck with your FL owls, Joanne. I especially appreciated your last sentence… 🙂
Ron, thank you for letting us enjoy and love these wonderful birds from a safe distance!
I’m glad you enjoyed the photos, Alison. Thanks.
I’m so glad to have found this blog, and thank you for sharing very inspiring photos. My question is, do you shoot in Aperture priority? Or do you simply set the Shutter speed at very high settings (in case the bird flies?)? Thank you.
Elmer, I do both. I shoot in aperture priority and generally I shoot at higher shutter speeds than most folks because I love take off and flight shots and behaviors that often require fast shutter speeds. Just my style…
Marvelous Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
Wonderful photos…enjoy them all.
Thank you, Lynn.