Adult male Short-eared Owl perched at the edge of a sagebrush sea – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/400, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
I am always looking for Short-eared Owls in northern Utah because they are year round residents here but they are nomadic which means I don’t always see them. Short-eared Owls will move to new locations if prey becomes scarce.
In the eleven years that I have lived in Utah I believe I have seen this owl species every month of the year. I usually have the best opportunities photographing Short-eared Owls during their breeding season. This year due to the Covid-19 pandemic I didn’t travel to many locations where I thought these owls might be found. I did have a great morning with three of them in June in Box Elder County and that is when I took this image.
I processed this photo in June but mistakenly saved it to my desktop instead of the folder I normally place processed images into when I plan on sharing them here. I came across this photo again a few weeks ago and decided to share it today.
The male Short-eared Owl was perched on a fence post near a road and at the edge of a sea of sagebrush. The light wasn’t great that morning, in fact at times it positively stank. I like that the owl was looking directly at me which is why I decided to center him in the frame.
I hope that by the time the New Year arrives that we’ll be able to get this pandemic under control with vaccines plus a science based plan of attack so that I’ll be able to wander safely around the state looking for Short-eared Owls.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Short-eared Owl photos plus with facts and information about this species.
Great shot, looks like you paid him to perch exactly where you wanted him
Oh those owl-eyes! I like the symmetry– it goes so well with the focused attention of the owl. Years ago when we lived in Dallas there was an invasion of these owls. I have never seen once since.
Great Owl pic. Love the eyes! BTW – That’s the look I get from my wife when I want to go to Costco. Thanks Mia.
Love that piercing gaze and the streamlined silhouette. And can ever, ever see too many photos of owls. Thank you.
An excellent owl portrait, Mia, thanks for sharing!
Such a beautiful bird. I wish they were a dime a dozen in the wild.
Great shot! I can think of all kinds of things this owl is thinking about while you take his picture!
Love the expression on its face!
Beautiful shot!
Love this photo!
Beautiful and informative