Not hunting for ground, hunting from the ground rather than on the wing.
In June two summers ago I had a very special experience with a (probable) male Short-eared Owl near the border of southwest Montana and Idaho (all images below documenting the experience are presented in the order they were taken).
1/250, f/9, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
Readers will likely recognize the owl on this perch because I posted a different image of him ten days ago. I’m only including this photo to provide context and to help me tell the story. The light was extremely low that early morning (more dark than light) because the sun still wasn’t up over a nearby mountain to the east and we were in deep shade before actual sunrise. He was actively scanning for prey from the post and after just a few moments he completely ignored my presence (in my pickup of course).
He would scan in all directions as he looked and listened for small mammal prey in the lush grasses and brush. After a short time he located something of interest (most likely a meadow vole) near a small pile of twigs…
1/400, f/7.1, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
and flew down to the ground very close to me to investigate. Here he’s still walking up to the spot of interest.
1/400, f/7.1, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
And then he froze as he concentrated on that spot with an intensity that was almost palpable. He held this position for some time but whatever critter had been at the base of the brush pile had apparently made its escape into the pile or down a burrow.
1/640, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
But as he slowly walked away he kept looking back at that same spot.
1/640, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
Eventually he started scanning for prey in other directions…
1/640, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
But his concentration kept going back to that same spot at the base of the brush pile. He was absolutely intrigued by something he’d apparently heard there that got away. I remember thinking how fortunate I was to not be a vole that morning. This owl was an incredibly honed hunting machine and I sure wouldn’t want to be in his crosshairs.
1/800, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
But eventually he gave up. He looked up at me one last time to make sure I wasn’t up to no good…
1/800, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
and then took off away from me…
1/320, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
to land on a slightly elevated perch a little further away and resume his hunting. At that point I drove away to look for other birds in the nearby Centennial Valley and away from the shade of the mountain. He was still hunting from this perch when I left.
I felt privileged to have been allowed this intimate look into the secret life of such a skilled and dedicated hunter, especially in the near-darkness. I thought my readers would enjoy it too.
Ron
Gorgeous shots, Ron! Even with the low light, you picked up some excellent colours. I like the somewhat muted, slight greyness (instead of goldishness) of the colours… peaceful. Very fun to follow your “picture-story” of your close observations. The perfect half-profile in your first photo is so awesome! 🙂
Having specialized in vole hunting for the last two years, I can tell you that his strategy of being still in the brush has about a 50% probability of capturing a tasty treat! The odds go up significantly when the hunter is not more than six feet up. Just saying’!
Wonderful. So much fun to watch.
Thank you, Jean.
Love, love, love this series — especially the two walking shots and the “butt shot” takeoff. So great that he was so comfortable with you. You or Mia must have been a Shortie in a past life. 😉 SEO’s were never on my “birdar” before coming to your blog and now they are among my favorites of your subjects, so I thank you for that!
“Birdar” – gotta remember that one, Marty. Thank you.
I thought my readers would enjoy it too.
I did. I did. I do.
Thank you.
Such concentration. And bonus britches.
“Bonus britches” – Ha, leave it to you, EC!
The head, eyes and body movements are enticingly captured, Ron.
What an endearing bird that you have captured so interestingly.
Again, I love the eyes and the way the owl can turn its head 360 degrees. What an amazing thing to see.
Thank you for the great series, Ron.
Thanks, Alice. Actually I think they can only turn their heads about 270° but that’s still very impressive.
Excellent shots, just phenomenal! Looking at those images says drop everything and start carving. But, not now, maybe next year!
Just some superlative shots Ron, what a delight to have this fellow more interested in finding a vole than worried about you. A photographers dream!
Yeah, he was pretty cooperative, Dick. I love it when an owl lets me into its world.
Wonderful series of one of my favorite birds…especially like the first with the bird on that substantial-looking post and the second to last with its wonderful view of its fuzzzzzzy britches…
Thank you, Patty.
What an awesomely beautiful creature. Only nature could come up with such a marvelous contraption and your photographs showcase the bird and the environment so simply. Another tour-de-force series. I finally looked at yesterday’s blog this morning and left a little note. I’ll have to say Bravo again!
“Only nature could come up with such a marvelous contraption”
I adore the way you said that, Joanne.
This reader definitely enjoyed this series. It has me realizing yet again how hard life must be for raptors, who have to spend a lot of time hunting, in order to survive. Which makes me realize that it’s good that birds don’t think the way humans do, because if they did, they’d give up on hunting because it’s too hard. Raptors set a very good example for us about the value of persistence.
Good point about persistence, Susan.
That’s a good story w/pics…I was completely immersed. Thanks Ron 🙂
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Zaphir. Thank you.
Love love love .. I need to take a trip up your way .. I have never seen a short eared owl here .. let me know when is best time of year to find them ..
Thanks, Marina. Spring and early summer is usually best but they’re often very difficult to locate.
Beautiful series, great photos even in poor light!
Thank you, April.
Isn’t that some kind of bulb beneath the owl? Almost looks like a flashbulb.
If there is I don’t see it. All I see is a bluish rock.
Wow– when you see that intensity of focus, you almost expect the brush beneath it to begin smoldering……..what a wonderful series of images. Thanks for this look !
I like the way you said that, Kris. Yes, his concentration was very intense!
Spectacular, Ron! Simply spectacular!
Thanks very much, Diane.
Wonderful series Ron!
Thanks, Charlotte.
It certainly showed intensity of focus stalking for this series, Ron. 🙂 Being able to watch the drama was special since often it’s a swoop and grab! They remind me of cats when they do this.
Your comparison to cats is a good one, Judy – the more I think about it the more appropriate it seems.