Male Short-eared Owl in evening lightMale Short-eared Owl in evening light- Nikon D200, f5.6, 1/1000, ISO 800, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited

The nicknames for Short-eared Owls are many and include Evening Owl, Mouse-hawk, Marsh Owl, Bog Owl and Flat-faced Owl but I just call them Shorties in the field. Short-eared Owls are active both day and night and can be seen hunting low over the ground. They have a floppy almost moth-like flight which often times helps me ID them from a long distance. The males are paler than the females and often have fewer stripes on the breast.

This beautiful male Short-eared Owl in evening light was photographed in the Centennial Valley of Montana several years ago. He appears to be molting.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Short-eared Owl photos plus facts and information about this species.