I’m an old softie when it comes to owls and wildflowers – especially in combination.
Yesterday morning I thought I finally had a window for some decent light so I headed for Antelope Island with high hopes but the gods of photography had other plans. Overcast skies closed in immediately after I got there and hung around as long as I did. I call those brief openings in the clouds “sucker holes” for good reason.
1/1000, f/7.1, ISO 800, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
My photos of this Burrowing Owl were just about my only “keeper” images of the morning. Partly because of the contrast in their plumage and their bright yellow eyes I think this species can still look very good in dismal light under the right conditions.
Many Burrowing Owl images are taken at the entrance to their burrows and generally I don’t find all that bare dirt particularly pleasing to the eye so I really enjoy the greenery and attractive little flowers in this setting. And conveniently there was no vegetation in front of the bird so we get a clear look at his entire body, including feet.
I’ve posted photos of this owl before (taken on other days). This is the bird that has chosen a burrow very close to a road and at one time I predicted that he (I believe it’s a male) would likely abandon the burrow because of all the attention he was likely to attract. But he’s still there and based on his behavior I suspect his mate, if he has one, may be inside the burrow on eggs (only the female incubates).
I hope so.
Ron
Beautiful photo!
That is a pretty picture. Hope to see some babies soon!
Thanks, Jean. Me too.
My ever loving family criticised me as a child for my butter soft heart. My (slightly) more adult self sticks her tongue out at them. My heart does melt at images like this – and I am the richer for it.
I used to get some flak from my friends for the same thing, EC. I learned to hide it a little as a teenager – shouldn’t have…
I never learned to hide it well. I tried. I failed.
EC, my family used to make fun of me, too. First for my passion for race cars (they might have had a point there) and then for the birds/critters. They’ve thought I was crazy my whole life. It used to bother me a lot, but then I started asking, what’s so bad about being crazy? My life is decorated with joy. I’m good with that 🙂
Who couldn’t love burrowing owls? I mean, seriously. They’re just too darn spectacular (I REALLY don’t want to say cute, but still…)! And I love the flowers in the background.
Way back in the beginning with Mariah, I had an opportunity to meet up with a close friend/photographer/falconer to take photos of Mariah among the blooming bluebonnets in Texas. Sadly, I couldn’t get there that day–can’t remember why but I couldn’t make that happen. Missing that opportunity is one of the few regrets in my life. Sigh…
Thanks, Laura. “Cute” has its place and IMO Burrowing Owls are one of them.
I try to keep raptors within that majestic category, despite that the majestic thing doesn’t always work. And while burrowing owls are firmly in the realm of majestic sometimes, I mean really–can I REALLY ignore that they’re just drop-dead CUTE at that same time? I think not 🙂 I mean really! They’re such clowns while they’re working on majestic.
His stance and the narrowed eyes make him look so badass standing there: “Yeah, I picked that burrow! Got the ol’ ball and chain sittin’ on the kidlets too. Whachoo got ta say ’bout that?”
(Whoa, maybe I need to switch to decaf.)
Nah, stick to the “straight stuff”, Marty. I like you all wired up!
Are you lookin’ at ME? Are YOU lookin’ at me? (He’s channeling his “inner DeNiro.”)
Great owl portrait, Ron! Good to know this fella is still doing well — fingers X’d his baby mama is, too. Like the Red-tails and their roadside nest, I’m grateful for the photo opps you have with these creatures because it’s wonderful to see them, and I remain hopeful they will all survive and thrive this nesting season. Think of the baby photos to come! 😁
I hope I have the opportunity for those photos, Chris. But mostly I hope they have a successful nesting season.
Any morning that starts with the image of a burrowing owl is a good one…this one is wonderful! He looks so casual…love the pose and the flowers (forget their nsme)…Redstdm Filaree???
Thanks, Patty. A commenter on Facebook who seems knowledgeable on the subject identified the flower as Common Stork’s Bill (Erodium cicutarium).
Common storksbill is another name for redstem fillaree. 🙂 I think the pointy seed pods lend themselves to the stork comparison. Perhaps though, as this is a bird photography blog, we should use the “bird” name. 😉
Red-stem Filaree is a lot more fun to say….
We call it “the pointy seed stuff,” so I’m probably not a good chooser of terms. I do agree with the filaree! 🙂
Red-stem Filaree is what I know it as, Marty. A perfect example of why common names are often so confusing and scientific names so important. I know of nine common names for the mountain lion but its scientific name, Felis concolor, leaves no doubt what species is being referred to, worldwide and in any language.
Thank you Ron , for brightening my mornings with your beautiful shots and your sometimes funny , always informative explanations !
I’m delighted that you enjoy them, Laurel. Thanks.
It’s an awesome shot Ron! Beautiful!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
Nice photo. Banded? Maybe he is new to the situation at that burrow. I hope he stays, and reproduces, it is nice to see them up close. Perhaps the island staff could give flyers with the map they hand out informing people about owl etiquette.
I think your idea would be a good one, April. No, he isn’t banded (in other photos I can see both legs clearly) and he’s been at this burrow for approximately a month now.
What a darling little owl. Love the delicate flowers around him too. Fantastic Ron! Do you frame pictures like this in your home? How wonderful that would be!
“Do you frame pictures like this in your home?”
Some I do, Barby. Thank you.
Owls and flowers…always a winning combo. Nice as always Ron 🙂
Thank you, Zaphir.
Nice, even if the photography god’s weren’t cooperating. 🙂 If you aren’t ready the second the sucker hole opens up, you’re done! :)Cute little devil – hope the borrow close to the road works out for him!
“If you aren’t ready the second the sucker hole opens up, you’re done!”
Exactly, Judy. And it’s hard for me to be ‘ready’ at that moment because it takes me about an hour just to get to the island!