Fledgling Short-eared Owl callingFledgling Short-eared Owl calling – Nikon D810, f6.3, 1/800, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

I miss seeing the Short-eared Owls chicks, fledglings and juveniles when I go out photographing now that they have grown up but I am delighted that I was able to see so many of them this year in northern Utah and in Montana. I used to think that Burrowing Owl chicks were my favorite young birds but after spending so much time with Short-eared Owls this breeding season I have to say that they are tied. I couldn’t pick a favorite.

In June I photographed this fledgling Short-eared Owl calling to an adult in Box Elder County while it perched on a gnarly old fence post. The light was perfect and the fledgling pretty much ignored me.

Begging fledgling Short-eared OwlBegging fledgling Short-eared Owl – Nikon D810, f6.3, 1/1000, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

In this frame it might look like the fledgling Short-eared Owl was disturbed by my presence but it was simply begging to be fed by an adult that was flying nearby but out of the frame. They can become very animated when they think they are going to be fed.

Juvenile Short-eared Owl lift offJuvenile Short-eared Owl lift off – Nikon D810, f6.3, 1/2000, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

I don’t recall if this is the same young owl or not but this image was taken across the road from where the first two images in this post were taken. The Short-eared Owl had been perched on a rusty metal  fence post and when it lifted off to take flight I was able to capture this image with its feet dangling down and its wings in a nearly perfect V position. I meant to post this image earlier but it has been a very busy summer and I just hadn’t gotten around to processing it.

Yes, I miss these young Short-eared Owls but I hope they are doing well and will return next year to breed and have young of their own.

Life is good.

Mia

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