Barn Owl flying over a playa in morning light, Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, UtahBarn Owl flying over a playa in morning light – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

I always feel fortunate when I am able to photograph winter Barn Owls in flight during daylight hours but that means that these gorgeous owls are struggling to stay alive and that is a concern for me. During the winter when our temps in Utah are cold and there is heavy snow on the ground these nocturnal owls can be seen hunting for prey to obtain the calories they need to stay warm on long winter nights.

Yesterday I photographed two Barn Owls that were up flying and hunting at Farmington Bay WMA and they actually concerned me more than the Barn Owls I have photographed in previous winters because right now there isn’t a thick layer of snow on the ground at the WMA which could mean they are having difficulty finding prey or that their prey’s population has crashed.

Daylight flight of a Barn Owl, Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, UtahDaylight flight of a Barn Owl – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

This Barn Owl was up and actively hunting in the vegetation between the road, the playa and the marsh yesterday. I’d seen it take off from a sign post to fly north then it circled back and flew towards the south in front of me.

Barn Owl in flight during daylight, Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, UtahBarn Owl in flight during daylight – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

The Barn Owl was looking and listening for prey as it flew past in the beautiful morning light giving me great views of it as I photographed it.

Barn Owl flying over a frozen marsh, Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, UtahBarn Owl flying over a frozen marsh – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

I wasn’t going to process this photo at first because the owl’s eyes were partially closed but I kind of like that sleepy-eyed look.

Barn Owl diving after prey, Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, UtahBarn Owl diving after prey – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

This photo made up for the one I missed recently of a Barn Owl diving for prey because there was a stupid fence post in the way, this time I had the owl out in the open with nothing obstructing my view. If I get another chance to photograph a Barn Owl diving for prey I hope the photography gods allow me to also get a catch light in the owl’s ebony eyes.

Barn Owl flying next to the road, Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, UtahBarn Owl flying next to the road – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

Even while I photographed the Barn Owls yesterday I worried for their well being because for them to be flying during the day I know they have to be very hungry and stressed.

Note: Barn Owls will also fly during daylight hours to feed their hungry chicks when they have large broods.

Morning light and a Barn Owl in flight, Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, UtahMorning light and a Barn Owl in flight – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

I hope that these Barn Owls find all the nourishment they need now so they can survive until their breeding season begins and spring arrives.

I do have some guilt within me when I photograph these striking owls in flight during daylight hours because we humans are without a doubt making their lives harder by destroying their habitat, poisoning them by using rodenticides and by not doing enough to slow down climate change.

Close up of a Barn Owl in flight, Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, UtahClose up of a Barn Owl in flight – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

My last Barn Owl photos from yesterday were taken when one of the Barn Owls flew in so close I clipped wing tips in most of them, this is the only one where I didn’t but wow, it was close!

Even though Barn Owls are one of my favorite avian subjects to photograph I simply can’t forget that they are up and flying during the winter because they are hungry.

Mia

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