![\"burrowing](\"https:\/\/featheredphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/burrowing-owl-5923-ron-dudley.jpg\")
1\/5000, f\/6.3, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f\/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\nI photographed this fairly recently fledged juvenile Burrowing Owl early last month in Box Elder County. With all the twigs surrounding and even in front of the bird I’m a little surprised I like the image as well as I do. But because I usually photograph this species at the entrance to their relatively unattractive burrows or perched on fence posts I appreciate the natural perch despite its flaws.<\/p>\n
The inexperienced little\u00a0owl\u00a0was obviously flustered because the tip of its left wing was hung up in some of the twigs.<\/p>\n
One of the siblings of this bird had an apparent eye\u00a0infection. Its right\u00a0eye had thick, visible secretions in it and the eye was kept closed much of the time, though it\u00a0apparently could see with that eye when it opened. I’ll spare you the clinical images of that bird but this perch with its obvious hazards to the vulnerable eyes of young, inexperienced owls made me wonder if attempting to land in a bush like this was the reason for the apparent injury.<\/p>\n
It’s a tough life out there for young birds as they’re learning the ropes.<\/p>\n
Ron<\/p>\n
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Sometimes I’m OK with a little clutter in my images, especially when the main subject is as cute as this one.<\/p>\n