Four years ago I photographed a Barn Owl in a winter white out at Farmington Bay WMA and I have to admit that photographing it was tough. Tough because the light was so awful, tough because of snow and fog and tough on me because it was so cold. Even with heat packs in my gloves my fingers became numb very quickly.
American Barn Owl in a snow-covered marsh – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/640, ISO 640, +2.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 314mm, natural light, not baited
The Barn Owl above perched on some phragmites in the marsh as it looked around for prey on a gray, gloomy winter day.
I’ve photographed Barn Owls in better conditions when the light was better and when it wasn’t so cold and I love those photos.
American Barn Owl swallowing a vole – 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
But these photos remind me of how hard it can be for these owls in our harsh winters, how they struggle just to survive the bitter cold nights, how they have to fight to get through the heavy snow that can cover the marshes and landscapes to locate prey and how difficult it must be for them to get through each day until the spring thaw.
The Barn Owl did locate and capture a vole after the first photo and flew close to the road to consume the prey it fought hard to catch. It might look like the Barn Owl in the photo above is smiling but it is really swallowing the vole whole and if you look real close you can see just the tip of the vole’s tail in the owl’s bill.
I always feel conflicted at this time of the year because I hope we don’t have a harsh winters so these beautiful owls don’t have to struggle so hard to survive but I also know we need the snow for spring runoff to fill the reservoirs that provide the water we need.
They are tough, beautiful birds.
Mia
Click here to view more of my Barn Owl photos plus facts and information about this species.
Merry Christmas! What a beautiful photo to wake up to. Great work, Mia.
Gorgeous shots Mia. What a great way to welcome the season.
Have a Merry Christmas…and thank you for all you give us during the year.
Until I looked more closely, my first thought was that the vole was going the other way–coming out as a pellet. Thank you so much and a very Merry Christmas, a lovely day, a joyous holiday and much magic to you!
And aren’t barn owls just splendid?
All your Barn Owl shots are fantastic, but I especially love this first one. Kudos to you for enduring the cold to show us critters enduring the cold!
Beautiful photos. I know I am a softy but I too worry when we have heavy winters and again when we have no snow. I take solace in knowing I do what I can to preserve and promote the importance of wildlife and the preservation of their habitat.
Merry Christmas and Happy Birdy-New Year.
Too many owls would be barely enough.
Both you and Ron have given me owls for Christmas, and my thanks are immense.
I hope that Christmas and the coming year(s) are WONDERFUL.
And thank you.
Beautiful shots Mia and your sentiment is right on. These creatures are amazing!
Fantastically sharp photos which capture the moment, and the struggle, of this large bird of prey … which is so well adapted to it’s year -round environment
That first shot has to be one of the best shots of a Barn owl!! I LOVE how the whites of the owl are echoed in the snow and the soft sienna of its feathers is echoed by the grass.. And the composition is spot on….BEAUTIFU!!!!
Mia, THANK YOU for sharing your craft with us all year long! Merry Christmas!
Great shots!
Such beautiful birds & you capture them so well.