Sibling Burrowing Owl juveniles on old postsSibling Burrowing Owl juveniles on old posts – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

Yesterday morning I spent fifteen minutes with sibling Burrowing Owl juveniles in northern Utah not long after the sun came up and while there was still golden light. For photographing birds of any species that is my favorite time of the day but especially for these small desert owls.

This time of the year the grasses have dried out and almost match the colors found in the owl’s plumage and they blend into their habitat so well during the month of August that I have a harder time spotting them. This pair of siblings were on the ground near a burrow entrance when I located them in the grasses and after a bit they flew up to land out in the open on two old posts.

Burrowing Owl juvenile lift off from an old fence postBurrowing Owl juvenile lift off from an old fence post – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

One of the Burrowing Owl siblings flew closer to the road where it posed for several minutes in the warm golden light on an old fence post before it lifted off. I was able to catch the precise moment before its talons left the fence post with its wings lifted up.

Spending any time with juvenile Burrowing Owls is great fun and they always make me smile.

Life is good.

Mia

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