Barn Owl on the wingBarn Owl on the wing – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited

Winter and the snow it brings seems to be taking its sweet time getting to Utah, Thanksgiving Day it was so warm it broke an 84 year-old record. But today I could see it snowing on the Wasatch Mountain Range and to the west on the Oquirrhs through the gray clouds that have hung around all day so I didn’t go out shooting. It has been four days and withdrawals have begun to set in. My shutter button finger is twitching and I am daydreaming of birds I hope to see.

It is still pretty slow for birds at Farmington Bay WMA and out on Antelope Island State Park but when the weather closes in and the snow begins to fly I expect it will get busier like it usually does this time of the year.

I always enjoy seeing and photographing Barn Owls during the winter months here in Utah but it also concerns me when they are out flying during the day because that means they are having trouble finding enough food during their normal hunting hours. So on one hand I hope to photograph them and on the other I hope that they don’t have to hunt during the day this winter. I would love to be able to capture more Barn Owl on the wing images.

Still, Barn Owls are gorgeous with their dark as ebony eyes, beautiful plumage and graceful flight so I find it difficult to suppress my delight when I see them on the wing.

Life is good.

Mia

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