Juvenile Short-eared Owl in flight, Centennial Valley, Beaverhead County, MontanaJuvenile Short-eared Owl in flight – Nikon D810, f6.3, 1/3200, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

Yesterday morning I spent time with several Short-eared Owls in Beaverhead County, Montana knowing it would be my last morning spent photographing this trip. I hoped for opportunities with owls, raptors, and maybe a few songbirds in soft morning light. I didn’t really get the songbirds but I did get my wish with owls and raptors. The sky was clear, temps were in the upper 40’s to low 50’s, and it felt absolutely marvelous to me.

This Short-eared Owl in flight over a wet meadow was just one of my favorite images taken yesterday in the Centennial Valley. I had taken a series of images of it perched on a fence post and when I could see that it was getting ready to lift off I focused and waited until it took flight. I was very happy with this frame because of the down-swept wings, the light and the layers of colors in the background. I had enough shutter speed to practically freeze the motion in the wings too.

I will hate to leave the cooler temperatures I have been experiencing here for the much warmer ones in the Salt Lake Valley but it is time to head home. It has been a fantastic journey and as usual I will be sad to leave.

But there are birds in Utah calling to me.

Life is good.

Mia

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