Short-eared owl on post in low light at Bear River MBR – Nikon D200, f5.6, 1/100, ISO 500, +.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited
Six years ago today I photographed my first Short-eared Owl in low light at Bear River MBR and it was the day my obsession and fascination with these beautiful owls began. I’d seen them before but not through my viewfinder. Even though the light was low I was simply dying to get a few high quality images of this male as he sat perched on a wooden post next to the road and I was elated when that happened. Sure, that post isn’t as aesthetically pleasing as a natural perch, but it was a Short-eared Owl!
Short-eared Owl concentration – Nikon D200, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 357mm, natural light, not baited
The same year I found a Short-eared Owl nest and from a distance I was able to watch the male bring prey into the nest and watch the female feeding a chick. I was also able to experience 13 minutes of pure joy when I observed and photographed the female owl above early on a foggy morning at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Montana. I took hundreds of images of her in that short 13 minutes while the fog and lake mist whirled around her as the sun rose. And each time I have passed the post this female owl was perched on… I have to smile. I can’t help myself.
Short-eared Owl looking for prey – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/400, ISO 500, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
This month I have had several opportunities to watch and photograph Short-eared Owls in northern Utah and I couldn’t be happier. Okay, well maybe I could by seeing them every day instead of just a few times a month. This month I’ve photographed them hunting, perched on posts, dive bombing a coyote, seen males way off in the distance perform their aerial courtship display of wing clapping and enjoyed just being around them again. And the month isn’t over quite yet.
Short-eared Owl with a green field – Nikon D810, f8, 1/400, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
All birds fascinate me, all birds fuel my passion (some might say addiction) for bird photography and I am truly obsessed with them all. Today simply marks the day six years ago when my delightful obsession with photographing Short-eared Owls began on a dirt road at Bear River MBR.
Life is good. Life with owls included is a hoot!
Mia
Click here to see more of my Short-eared Owl photos plus facts and information about this species.
thank you for these- wonderful!
What wonderful images! Thank you! I live in So. Utah and don’t have the advantage of a watery refuge but still find a crazy variety of birds to appreciate.
I LOVE these images! I’m becoming more and more enamored of the short-ears. They represent the very essence of owl…in body shape, facial features and coloration. Like each image equally, except for the second to last…with the devil’s wire…alwayys makes me uncomfortable….
Wonderful obsession! Birds are the most fascinating creatures God has created, as if just for our enjoyment. You have been blessed with a the gift of this awareness of theses beautiful animals which leads to a love for all the natural world. I enjoy reading your excited stories of finding and observing birds as it is exactly how I spend my days! Best wishes for another blessed day with your obsession! 🙂
Brian
Mia… do you have a way of contacting “dinahmow” with a message that I
would like to make contact with them??? Thanks.
I just looooove owls Mia, and you got some great shots. I’m envious.
I LIVE IN SARASOTA, SO IF “DINAHMOW” WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT ME,
I WOULD LOVE TO TRY FOR PICTURES OF YOUR SCREECH OWL. MY
EMAIL ADDRESS IS…. Rburnard@comcast.net. I LIVE IN CENTER GATE
CONDOS, OFF WILKINSON, JUST TWO STREETS WEST OF CATTLEMAN.
I HOPE YOU SEE THIS POST. ;-)))
Roger, I have to say no on the owl visit.Firstly, this is not my house and I abide by the no smoking, no visitors rule. Also, I hesitate to poke a lens too close to the owls and would feel terrible if they abandoned their eggs.I’m sure you can understand. But thank you for asking.
Great job thanks for sharing
Mucho beautiful images of these owls, Mia.
I’m house-sitting in Sarasota FL and right outside my room,20′ up in a palm hollow is a screech owl nest.The evening I arrived I saw one owl, probably female.My friend says there are chicks so I’m hoping …
Love these!