Hunting Barn Owl in flight – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited
During the winter there are times I am able to photograph Barn Owls in flight during the day when the snow is deep and the temps are bitter cold. In the winter 2013 I photographed Barn Owls on many trips to Farmington Bay WMA. That was one of the harshest winters I have experienced since I moved to Utah in 2009.
Typically Barn Owls are nocturnal but here in northern Utah they can be seen hunting during the day when they have young in the nest to feed around April and during the winter when there is a heavy layer of snow covering the ground. It is harder for the Barn Owls to capture prey through the snow so they hunt later in the morning, earlier in the afternoon and sometimes all day long just to have enough food to survive.
On the January afternoon when I photographed this Barn Owl in 2013 it was well below freezing, the deep snow crunched under the tires and even though it was later in the day than I am normally at the WMA the winter light was wonderful. There was also some fog hanging over the marsh behind the owl.
Winters just aren’t as harsh, we don’t seem to have as much snow as we used to, and it doesn’t seem to snow as frequently as it did when I first arrived in Utah more than eleven years ago. It is much more uncommon for me to see Barn Owls in flight during the day. Perhaps I will see some hunting during the day this winter but at this point in time I believe that it is more likely that I won’t.
Mia
Click here to view more of my Barn Owl photos plus facts and information about this species.
Thanks for all your awesome pictures for the past year.
Your writing brings your neck of the woods alive for me and makes me want to visit the route where you can use your car as a blind.
Merry Christmas to you and your family
Excellent image!! Climate change is having a profound effect on so many animals.
Such an evocative image of a lonely hunter. I hope for easy winters for the animals, but know that having an ample snowpack is so important spring, summer, and fall.
Beautiful image. As much as I like to see them during the day, I don’t like seeing them. I know it is only because they are hungry and not doing well in a hard winter.
While I would LOVE to see an owl in the daylight I believe that it is more likely when conditions are harsh. A part of me hopes that you don’t see them this winter. I am sorry to wish that on you, but birds (and wildlife more generally) face more than enough challenges without adding inclement weather to the mix.
That said, my hypocritical self loves this beautiful image.
Sweet photo, Mia!
Nice shot. Beautiful!
Beautiful photo Mia
Stunning!
Outstanding image!!!