Burrowing Owls in Spring

JohnDC · April 1, 2011

I spent a few days looking for burrowing owls and found most were paired up. The weather was partly overcast and cool by desert standards, and the owls stood outside their burrows trying to catch some sun. The owls became so accustomed to my presence that they dozed off while I took their pictures--it was hard to get photos with their eyes open. These are photos of four different pairs.

Pair #1.

Pair #2, hunched up, feathers fluffed, trying to get warm.

Pair #3. These two glared for a few moments as I approached, then ignored me.

Pair #4. As the upper owl dozed, the second owl emerged from the burrow to check me out.

denisegoldberg · April 1, 2011

These are beautiful, and I have to admit that I'm a bit jealous - I've never seen a burrowing owl, and it appears that they don't like the northeast. I guess I'll need to plan a trip somewhere...

My favorites are # 2 and # 4. The contrast of the sleeping owl and the staring eyes just reached out and grabbed me.

--- Denise

zoomer · April 1, 2011

Cool shots, I can never get that close. Nice and sharp.

WyomingBob · April 1, 2011

Great shots. We have them here in Wyoming but the ones I have seen don't like you getting to close. I notice a couple have bands on them.
Bob

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JohnDC · April 2, 2011

WyomingBob wrote: »

Great shots. We have them here in Wyoming but the ones I have seen don't like you getting to close. I notice a couple have bands on them.
Bob

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Thanks, Bob. I get close using my car as a blind--a method used for various types of wildlife. I have "one-way" curtains over the windows so the owls can't easily see my face, and I have the camera all set up before I arrive at the photo position to minimize movement when I get near the birds. I start off by making several slow passes past the owls so they get used to the vehicle not being a threat. I never approach directly towards the owls. When I'm planning to stop and take pictures, I drive very slowly (around 1 mi/hr) to the stopping place, which I have already picked out in reconnoitering (depending on the angle of the light and objects obstructing the view). The whole time I am watching the owls: if they show any signs of pending flight, I stop and go in some other direction. After about 10-20 minutes of my arrival, the owls just don't care that I am there, and spend their time looking in other directions or going to sleep. This process takes patience, but it works.

Also, I shut off the engine to cut vibration (I'm resting the tele lens on the window sill). Some of the owls become curious about something happening under the vehicle--I think it may be water dripping from the A/C drain--that's the direction they are looking as they cock their head at different angles.

Being in Wyoming, you may be interested to know that I have also gotten close to pronghorns the same way. The biggest drawback is that you have to be someplace that is driveable. I have a high clearance 4wd SUV, so I can go on some pretty bad roads, and some of the roads for wildlife photography are pretty bad (e.g., big rocks, deep sand, or severe mud). In deference to the environment, I won't go off-road.

Maestro · April 2, 2011

Great set. I love the first and third although the last one is interesting because of the sharp focus on the eyes behind the grass while the other has the eyes closed.

Harryb · April 3, 2011

Excellent set John

Dennis Kaczor · April 3, 2011

Very nice John, they are such a neat bird.

dbaker1221 · April 4, 2011

hahahahha...I love em....something about the burrowing owls make me laugh & happy

Wossa · April 5, 2011

Stunning.....I could look at these all day.

GretaPics · April 5, 2011

Wonderful! and I second the jealousy thread. I appreciate hearing the back story on your process though and I'm reminded of why I stick to flowers at this point! Thank you, GP