Burrowing owl, near the Salton Sea, California.
You might think all owls live in trees and barns, but not burrowing owls – they actually nest in burrows in the ground, much like puffin. I hadn’t seen these cool birds before, but went out looking for them yesterday afternoon after a tip from a workshop client, and wasn’t disappointed. They are really cool! And a blast to watch. Gotta love those eyes!
burrowing owls at a burrow, near the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge Complex, California.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Love them, Ron. These are some of the first images of the owls I’ve seen from out west. I like the change in habitat compared to the lawns of Florida where it seems most images come from. Especially in the first image, the brown tones are very nice.
- Chris Kayler
Very nice captures Ron
Awesome! The second one is really cool, with that owl to the right popping up his head. Great!
Love those piercing eyes! Truely majestic in their own way
Great Capture. I especially like the eyes on the owl in the second photo, who is just peaking out of the ground. We do have a reliable burrowing owl area in Berkeley, CA at Cesar Chavez Park if you get up this way. Here is a posting I did on the local owls: http://naturalhistorywanderings.com/2011/02/11/burrowing-owl-in-berkeley/
Great lighting. I love the one peeking his head out. This is the owl species from my photo in the Nature Conservancy calendar.
Thanks a lot everyone!
@ Scott – I thought of your wonderful image when I was out there.
I love owls but they are rare in my neck of the woods. I was in Cape Coral, FL a few years ago and spent an afternoon waiting for them to come out of their burrows but I was skunked.
I love your first shot. The light and composition are perfect.
These are awesome, Ron! The spotlighting on the eyes in the top shot is just perfect, and I love the big eyes staring out of the burrow at you in the second.
@ Frank – that is too bad you didn’t get to see them – worth the return trip – thanks!
@ Pat – thanks!
I’m with those who love the little guy peaking out of his burrow!
Wow, didn’t know we had this type of owl out here in San Diego. Will have to show these pics to my daughter.
Nice job!
Thanks! They are really fun to see!