Female Short-eared Owl stretching on a leaning fence post – Nikon D810, f10, 1/640, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
I photographed a wonderful series of images of this beautiful female Short-eared Owl last week in northern Utah and haven’t even begun to have enough time to review and edit the photos I took of her yet but I wanted to at least share one image of her today. I really liked this frame of the female Short-eared Owl stretching on a leaning fence post because of the eye contact, the view of her talons, fanned out tail, and extended wing.
The background is an area of lush grasses and short rushes and because of my choice of depth of field plus the bokeh of my lens I feel that the background has a luminous quality to it that I find quite appealing when contrasted with the colors and softness of this owl’s plumage and the rough texture of the leaning fence post.
What I find amazing is seeing cars and trucks zipping past this owl who was perched close to the road in rural Box Elder County and they appeared to not even see her. I am so glad I have trained my eyes to look for birds everywhere I go. I can’t imagine not looking for them.
Life is good.
Mia
This image was taken after I photographed the trio of Short-eared Owl chicks I posted last week and in a different area of northern Utah.
Click here to see more of my Short-eared Owl photos plus facts and information about this species.
Open eyes, hearts and minds bring incredible gifts. Which I am so very grateful you share.
Well done, Eagle Eyes! These Short-ears are as cute as Burrowing Owls, and that’s saying a LOT!!!
Love it … and love that great expression on her face … ooo la la … !!!!
Gorgeous, Mia. I can hear them hooting and flying at night. But never see or hear them in the daytime. The woods are so dense in MD and NC but maybe someday…
Thx for all the great pictures. They make my day.
Beautiful image Mia. A wonderful capture. Love the Owls.