Celebrating Seven Years in Utah – Photographing Birds, Wildlife and Scenery
My journey in life has taken me to many places and I'm glad that it brought me to Utah where I am enjoying photographing birds, wildlife and scenery. Seven years ago today.
Update on the Injured Short-eared Owl Fledgling
I'm so sorry this Short-eared Owl fledgling won't be released like the Barn Owl I helped to rescue in Montana but rescuing it from the barbed wire was still the right thing to do.
Fledgling Short-eared Owl Portraits
Yesterday I was able to take a series of fledgling Short-eared Owl portraits when this young owl perched on a metal post right next to a road in Box Elder County, Utah.
Short-eared Owl Fledgling Barbed Wire Injury
Right after seeing the adult I also saw a fledgling Short-eared Eared Owl about 8 to 10 feet from the adult hung up on barbed wire.
Short-eared Owl Fledgling Parallaxing
This Short-eared Owl fledgling spent a lot of time looking at the vehicle on the far side of the road parallaxing with its head tilted or bobbing up and down.
Adult Burrowing Owl About to Lift Off
I was photographing this adult hoping to get it on lift off and in flight but looked away from my viewfinder to check my exposure exactly at the time it did lift off so I missed the shots.
Low Light Male Short-eared Owl in Idaho
The male Short-eared Owl in Clark County, Idaho was a beauty even in the poor light.
Short-eared Owl Preening Session
I was able to see and photograph a long Short-eared Owl preening session where I could see the owl's ear canal, uropygial gland and some extremely interesting and twisted poses.
Female Short-eared Owl Stretching One Wing
I really liked this frame of the female Short-eared Owl stretching on a leaning fence post because of the eye contact, the view of her talons, fanned out tail and extended wing.
Fledgling Short-eared Owl in Tumbleweeds
How could I resist taking images of a fledgling Short-eared Owl in tumbleweeds? I just couldn't.
Low Light Female Short-eared Owl Blur
I know that blurs aren't everyone's cup of tea but I have grown quite fond of this beautiful, shaking, Short-eared Owl blur.
Northern Utah Short-eared Owl Chicks
It felt amazing to be alone with these northern Utah Short-eared Owl chicks for a few brief moments yesterday.
Portrait of a Great Horned Owl Chick in a Hay Barn
This portrait of a Great Horned Owl chick in a hay barn might not have been taken in the most aesthetically pleasing location but I don't think the owlet gives a hoot about the rusty iron beams and corrugated metal walls.
Side lit Short-eared Owl Male
I liked this image of the side lit Short-eared Owl more than I thought I could.
Burrowing and Short-eared Owls in May – Satisfying my Owl Obsession
I am thoroughly enjoying photographing Burrowing and Short-eared Owls in May and satisfying my owl obsession.
Short-eared Owls – Nomadic and Enchanting
This year I've seen far more Short-eared Owls in Utah than I have since I moved here in 2009 and I've been enjoying photographing these nomadic and enchanting owls for over a month.
Juvenile Burrowing Owl Balancing Act
I photographed this juvenile Burrowing Owl balancing act last year in northern Utah not long after the sun came up
The Day My Short-eared Owl Obsession Began
Six years ago today I photographed my first Short-eared Owl in low light at Bear River MBR and it was the day my obsession and fascination with these beautiful owls began.
Short-eared Owl Nictitating Membrane
This image shows a Short-eared Owl nictitating membrane that is partially exposed. The dark line near the center of the eye is the edge of the nictitating membrane.
More Owls, Turkey Vultures Plus A Third Year Bald Eagle
I mentioned in my post about Short-eared Owls yesterday that I saw Burrowing Owls, Turkey Vultures and a third year Bald Eagle juvenile in northern Utah so I thought I would share a few more images form the northern Utah excursion.
Northern Utah Short-eared Owls
Yesterday it was the northern Utah Short-eared Owls that made me so very glad that I am a bird photographer and that for a little while I am part of their world.
Short-eared Owl in Tooele County, Utah
It has been a while since I photographed this Short-eared Owl in Tooele County at the James W. Fitzgerald WMA
I Went Looking for a Snowy Owl and Got American Barn Owls in Flight
I went looking for a Snowy Owl and got Barn Owls in flight instead at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.
American Barn Owls in Winter
I am always grateful to see Barn Owls in winter and to be able to photograph them in sweet light is a delight.
Bear River MBR American Barn Owl On A Winter Morning
It felt wonderful to spend time with this Bear River MBR American Barn Owl yesterday while the sun was shining on the refuge.
Winter Burrowing Owls on Antelope Island
It was the first of the winter Burrowing Owls I was to find yesterday while on Antelope Island State Park.
An adult Burrowing Owl in early spring on Antelope Island
Among those spring migrants that I most look forward to seeing are the Western Burrowing Owls.
Resting American Barn Owl in Box Elder County, Utah
On January 1st I spotted this resting Barn Owl on some hay bales not too far from the juvenile Red-tailed Hawk at the hot spring.
Flying Straight Into The New Year
This Barn Owl seems to be flying straight into the New Year and that is what I am doing. Spreading my wings and facing what comes at me head on.
Farewell to 2015 – Owl See You in 2016
I don't know how many hours I have spent in the field photographing birds and wildlife this year but I know that every moment has been special and I treasure that.