Still waiting for snow here in the Salt Lake Valley so I am posting another snowy image of an American Barn Owl taken in December of 2013.

Winter American Barn Owl on a gray day perched on some phragmites, northern UtahAmerican winter Barn Owl on a gray day – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/640, ISO 640, +2.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited

A few days ago there was a dusting of snow on the ground when I woke up but it didn’t take long for that to melt away unlike past years where it took days; sometimes even weeks, for the snow to melt away. The last part of December in 2013 was like that where the snow stayed for weeks and the birds were far more visible.

There was a period of time where the winter conditions were so bad that the American Barn Owls had to hunt during the day to consume enough to survive because the snow was so thick on the ground that it made it hard for the owls to see or hear their prey and the temps were bitter cold. I always feel bad for them when conditions are so brutal.

This American Barn Owl stayed in this location for 19 minutes before it flew to another location to search for prey.

Close up of an American Barn Owl as it rests in a marshy area at Farmington Bay WMA, UtahClose up of an American Barn Owl – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/500, ISO 640, +1.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited

The American Barn Owl missed the prey and took shelter in a thick stand of snow-covered phragmites. I left the owl so it could rest.

Yeah, I do feel bad for them when they have to struggle so hard to just stay alive.

Mia

Click here to view more of my American Barn Owl photos plus facts and information about this species.