Young Short-eared Owl – Nikon D810, f10, 1/800, ISO 320, -1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
I’m keeping my first post of 2018 short, sweet and simple. Sweet because who can resist a Short-eared Owl chick with those big yellow eyes? I know I can’t.
I could have missed seeing and photographing this Short-eared Owl chick and two of its siblings except for a stroke of serendipity. I was meeting a friend in northern Utah who had come from out of state to photograph birds so I drove up to Box Elder County and did a little bit of exploring on my own before I planned on heading to our meeting place. When I saw a pickup in front of me slowly heading south on the road I wanted to be on I decided at that moment to turn around and head a different direction. I wasn’t sure I would find any birds but I was okay with that.
If I hadn’t turned my Jeep around when I did in the direction I chose I would never have found three adorable Short-eared Owl chicks not far from the shoulder of the road in beautiful morning light. I didn’t stay with the chicks long because I didn’t want to stress the young birds or prevent the adults owls from feeding them so I quickly took some photos and left them them alone.
I can tell you that finding and photographing the young Short-eared Owls was one of the brightest highlights of that day for me and that I was enchanted by the beautiful owlets. I also learned that sometimes by not taking the path I planned to take and heading a different direction can bring unexpected joy.
I’m looking forward to 2018 and I wish you all the best. Happy New Year!
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Short-eared Owl photos plus facts and information about this species.
Great pic. Love the Owl’s intense stare. The eyes are so vivid. Thx Mia.
Great expressive portrait!
GORGEOUS!!
Are you sure that isn’t Darth Vadar??
Woo Hoo. I am in.
And generously rewarded with an owl. A beautiful way to start any day/year. Thank you so much.
Oh just gorgeous! Don’t you just love serendipity along the road less traveled? I love meandering with no certain destination. I’ve found such spectacular sights along that path!
Wishing you a joyous and serendipitous New Year!!
May your 2018 be filled with serendipitous moments like this one! 🙂
Wonderful birds. I hope they are plentiful this year.
Incredible way to start the new year, thank you!
Great series! For me, the best birding days are when I find something totally unexpected. Saturday I was replenishing the feeders at our town park when an owl hooted from the holly grove….so cool! And, the day before, I came across 5 ruddy Turnstones working the Long Island Sound shoreline at low tide….why aren’t these guys down South? Two highlights in two days! Have a great 2018!
oOve the Photo’s thanks for sharing! Have a Happy 2018 shooting, Love mom
I hope 2018 will bring you great opportunities to photograph birds & wildlife in general. I’m looking forward to your photos for sure.