Yawning juvenile Western Burrowing Owl – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
I haven’t posted a Burrowing Owl in a bit so I thought I would share this yawning juvenile Burrowing Owl that I photographed the beginning of July. This young owl spent a lot of time yawning with its eyes closed as I photographed it but I was able to get a few frames where its bill and eyes were wide open.
I haven’t spent as much time with Burrowing Owls this summer as I would have liked to but the heat is getting to me, I can’t believe I am looking forward to when temps cool down to the low 90’s. It is only supposed to be 98°F today, I guess I should be thankful for that.
I’ve missed these little Desert Clowns.
Life is good.
Mia
I am so grateful for our winter.
Love your burrowing owl (of course) and hope you find some relief soon.
Wonderful photo. In my observation birds like people tend to close their eyes when they yawn, its is hard to get a shot of a bird without the nictitating membrane partially over the eye. I have not seen as may burrowing owls close enough for me to photograph this year.Their dens have been further away from the roads and with the tall grass from the spring rains this year they are hard to observe.
You just gotta love burrowing owls (and it’s NOT hard). They’re such clowns and so very beautiful!
“Down to 98 degrees!” Yike!!! I hope you get some real relief SOON! We’ve been having temps in the low and middle 90’s and it’s been miserable! We don’t have air conditioning, only shade from a big maple and fans…both help. Love yawning Burrowing Owl, love any picture of them…wonder if the heat was getting to him a bit, too.
Cool photo, Mia. Little fella must be a bit sleepy.