I’m including some highly encouraging news about Burrowing Owls on the island.
Each of these photos was taken within the last six days on Antelope Island. All of them were taken in early morning and the last eight were taken during or soon after sunrise, so the light was low and very warm.
On my last two visits to the island, recently banded Burrowing Owl chicks have been surprisingly easy to find. And they often turn up in unexpected places. This one and one of its siblings were occasionally joined by…
one of their parents. I was never close to either bird so I tried to get flight shots, but it didn’t happen.
This baby had apparently been watching me for a long time before I finally spotted it.
Most owl burrows on the island aren’t close to a road so close-up looks at them are the exception rather than the rule.
When I can get closer to one of them it’s always fun to get a few mullein flowers in the background. This adult was sleepy, so it never did completely open its eyes.
I made repeated attempts at capturing a pose I like of this adult, likely the male parent of the half-dozen chicks at the burrow. But it was hard to…
avoid photo-bombing babies with the zoomies. I just happened to take this photo as one of the youngsters raced by its father.
The young bird had turned on its afterburners, as evidenced by the dirt/sand it kicked up in both shots.
The adult male didn’t stay here for long, apparently because the youngsters were feeling their oats and causing too much commotion on the burrow mound. So he…
landed on a nearby sunflower stalk and looked down at them with what looked like disapproval. I recognize that look as one my mother used to give me when I was acting up as a little kid. Mom wore glasses that she looked over, which exaggerated her look of disapproval. I always got the point.
While the adult male watched from his lofty perch, two of the chicks spent a long time nibbling each other.
They seemed to take turns with the nibbling. I got dozens of photos similar to these but this is one of the few where either bird had its eyes open.
All the kissy-facing from the youngsters appeared to be…
too much for Dad to bear, so he hid is view of them with his wing and looked at me a little cross-eyed instead.
All he was really doing was preening but it still made me laugh.
I had a visitor on one of the mornings when I was photographing these owls. Wendy Wilson, Manager of Antelope Island State Park and a good friend, recognized my pickup so she walked over for what turned out to be a long and very enjoyable visit. Between that visit and a later conversation I had with Park Naturalist Trish Ackley, I learned some stuff about Burrowing Owls on the island.
- Most of the Burrowing Owl burrows on the island are natural but 24 of them are artificial burrows that are monitored by HawkWatch International every nesting season.
- Last year HWI found and banded 81 Burrowing Owl chicks in those 24 artificial burrows. This year they found and banded 192 chicks in those same burrows – a 237% increase from one year to the next.
- HWI makes no attempt to monitor the natural burrows on the island but it’s estimated that there are hundreds of them. This year, at least one of those known natural burrows contains 10 owl chicks.
So it’s hard to even estimate how many Burrowing Owls there are on the island right now but there must be a bunch. And I’m lovin’ it.
Ron
PS – If you happen to visit the island anytime soon, please please! stay a respectful distance away from their burrows. Even if you find one close to a road. And of course, don’t get out of your vehicle. Too many folks are getting far too close and putting too much pressure on these vulnerable owls.
It’s infuriating to see some photographer with a 500 – 600mm lens parked so close to a burrow he or she could almost spit on it. I see that far too often.
Ron, I too have found there are large numbers of B, Owls this summer. I am working at the Great Basin National Park. I have not found b. owls in the park. I have been watching two burrows just outside of Baker.
The Baker Ranch burrow has been used for years. This summer there are 2 adults and 6 young.
200 yards away is another burrow on BLM land it has 8 young and two adult. This is a new burrow. I suspect that it a owl from a prior year.
When I visited the Fish Spring NWR in May, I found 3 burrows of owls along the pavement nearing the dirt section of the road. Plus a few single birds around Baker Nevada.
The rodent population is large. The Kangaroo Rats are so thick in population that the roads are littered with road kills. Voles and mices are scurring underfoot while I am doing breeding bird surveys in the park.
I found a Western Screech Owl family in June. 5 young and one adult. Lots of Great Horned Owls around the park up high.
10 young is in a burrow is great.
jake
Enjoy your pictures of the Burrowing Owls. I am sure they are a joy to see and your comments always make your web site fun.
Much appreciated, Trudy.
Burrowing Owl adults always seem to be nonplussed — like they’re judging us — harshly. 😂 I love the shots you shared, especially the “Dad! Watch this! Look what I can do!” youngster zooming past Pops. Dad is definitely over “babysitting” his kids and wants Mom to return from the beauty parlor ASAP so he can go into his den for three feathers of Bourbon and a cigar.
Marty, you should be a scriptwriter. “Three feathers of bourbon” – loved it.
Back in the 80’s in Idaho Fish & Game stated that there were about 500 burrowing owls in southern Idaho. We were hunting rabbits in January and there was this massive flock of at least 300+ burrowing owls in the sagebrush gathered together for winter migration I guess. As we walked the brush they rose up in wave after wave. They didn’t want to expend much energy so they only flew 3 to 400 yards before landing. Nature’s awesome specticule.
Wow, I’ve never heard of a “flock” of Burrowing Owls. That must have been amazing to see.
WUNNAFUL, WUNNAFUL news. Thank you – and yay for these feathered enchanters and their busy, busy parents.
Thanks, EC.
Oh, my, what a happy-making post! That warm early morning light is so lovely on those wonderful subjects. Such good news on the stats from HWI, too. And hooray for the roadside owls that raised their family! Thank you for the smiles!
Thanks, Carolyn. It’s close to miraculous that those roadside owls were successful.
The dad shots and your commentary – hilarious!! Thanks for making me laugh!
I’m glad you could look past the anthropomorphism, Kathleen. Thanks.
And a word of the day! Anthropomorphism – that’s a good one and useful!
“and useful”
Especially around here… 🙂
Wonderful images. You must have spent a lot of time chatting that day, same day we talked too? I did not know they only banded the artificial burrows. Now I know why some I have been watching are not banded. I thought perhaps they had not banded this year. Not only are photographers walking up to burrows and parking right next to the burrows along the road but I have seen on three occasions a photographer up on the hill photographing owls on the east side of the island. Again with a huge lens and tripod. The island is pretty barren and the photographers stick out like a sore thumb even in camo! Now pro-cameras are affordable by many the photographers are everywhere, many photographers have no scruples, the shot is all they care about. Their behavior makes me embarrassed to say I photograph wildlife!
Yes, earlier the same day. And yes, I guess I was a chatterbox that day. 🙂
The artificial burrows are designed so that the chicks can be more easily captured and banded, with less stress to all concerned.
You and I both have seen photographers (and others) doing stupid-ass things at the burrows and elsewhere. I get angry, only in part because of the embarrassment you mention.
A really fun post and some great photos. Thanks Ron.
Thank you, Bill.
Beautiful! Absolutely stunning series of photos of the burrowing owls! Last shot gave me a giggle 🙂 REALLY glad to hear they are doing well…… 🙂
Grey Catbird my treat in recent days. Bit of smoke added to the heat today… 🙁 May get some thunder bumpers – probably dry – today – NOT needed with the fires already going around the state.
Thanks, Judy.
Good luck with the fires. We’re getting some smoke from the CA fires but not much so far. That could change anytime.
My favorite owl for sure. These photos, and the happy news about the uptick in population, put a smile on my face.
It is hard not to anthropomorphize these delightful birds. Like the Roadrunner, they just seem to exude a relatable and sometimes comical personality. Perhaps it is because they are so ‘grounded’ with the Earth, that it is easy to feel an affinity with them.
What ever became of the one owl that had a burrow right at roadside that you had previously posted photos of not too long ago?
“It is hard not to anthropomorphize these delightful birds.”
It sure is, Michael. Which is part of the reason I gave in to the temptation.
The owls at that roadside burrow actually raised a family. Surprised the hell out of me but they did it.
Laughed out loud at that last photo! Great photos and a fun layout. Good bird news is always welcome. Thanks, Ron!
“Good bird news is always welcome.”
I couldn’t agree more, Ellen. Especially these days.
Love the photography and also enjoyed the information about the banding and monitoring etc.
Looking at those eyes reminds me of that old song Jeepers Creepers Where’d you get those eyes.” Sinatra among others sang it.
There are some north of where I live here, but I have never seen one. Many years back we used to see them in undeveloped areas of Irvine CA, but of course now there are no undeveloped areas in Irvine that has become a pretty big city.
Everett, I remember another line from that song – “Jeepers creepers, where’d you get those peepers”. 🙂
What you said about Irvine, CA also applies to Poway, CA. As I kid there were Burrowing Owls all over those hills (that locals called mountains). No longer.
Wonderful to hear about the population increase. And your photos made me laugh out loud.
Good to know, Kathryn. Thanks.
OMGosh I/we are luving IT, too.
“Thank you” for such a wonderful photo share.
Good. Thanks, CJ.
Sensational series!
Thanks.
Ohmygosh!! What a fabulous day for you…..only one thing cuter
than Burrowing owls, and that’s BABY Burrowing Owls with the zoomies ! I’m so glad to hear this good news……thanks for a
rare morning treat…….
It’s nice to begin a day with good news, isn’t it Kris. Thanks.
Love the intimate views of fledgling figuring out their place in nature. Delightful way to start the day. Thanks, Ron!
Glad you enjoyed them, Diane. Thanks.
These are great! and I honestly think you could get a picture book with a cute story out of these photos. Ending with the dad having had enough cuteness for one morning!
Thanks, Sue. I may have overdone it with the anthropomorphism, but I couldn’t resist.
Beautiful photos and great news for Burrowing Owls! Thank you for sharing! Nice way to begin the day.
Thank you, Janis.