{"id":20844,"date":"2015-03-03T07:47:30","date_gmt":"2015-03-03T14:47:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/?p=20844"},"modified":"2025-10-13T10:36:53","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T15:36:53","slug":"the-burrowing-owls-are-arriving-caution-extreme-cuteness-ahead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2015\/03\/03\/the-burrowing-owls-are-arriving-caution-extreme-cuteness-ahead\/","title":{"rendered":"The Burrowing Owls Are Arriving – Caution, Extreme Cuteness Ahead!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"AdultAdult Burrowing Owl at a burrow – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1\/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

A few Burrowing Owls have arrived on Antelope Island and more will soon migrate to their breeding grounds on the island. Burrowing Owls are enchanting, entertaining and so cute they are irresistible. Everyone seems to love them.\u00a0 I know I can’t resist taking images of them and watching their antics as the young owls grow.<\/p>\n

But it is very important at this time of the year prior to nesting that when owls are found at or near a burrow that they be given plenty of space and not harassed otherwise they may find another location to nest in.\u00a0 I’ve already noticed a lot of traffic where the burrow is in the picture above and I hope that people will give the owl space so the it won’t feel harassed or threatened so that everyone will be able to enjoy watching this Burrowing Owl raise its young. Harassing it now may cause it to nest elsewhere.<\/p>\n

\"JuvenileJuvenile Burrowing Owl with a serious look – Nikon D200, f7.1, 1\/640, ISO 250, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Every year about this time I try to do a post on ethics for nests and chicks and although these guidelines might seem like common sense there have been times I have seen a lack of that in the field. This doesn’t apply to just the Burrowing Owls but all<\/em> birds (other wildlife too).<\/p>\n

1. Do not approach too closely,<\/p>\n

2. If the birds show any sign of distress back away,<\/p>\n

3. Don\u2019t trim leaves, twigs or branches to get a clearer shot, you may inadvertently attract predators or cause the eggs\/chicks to over heat,<\/p>\n

4. Follow local, state and federal guidelines concerning nesting birds,<\/p>\n

5. Don\u2019t harass the birds to get an action shot,<\/p>\n

6. Don\u2019t stay a long time near a location with nesting birds or chicks, that disrupts their normal behavior<\/p>\n

7. Do not use recorded calls to excess, birds need every ounce of energy to attract their mates, defend their territories, breed and rear their young. Calls can cause males to expend energy by reacting to them as if they were an intruder, take them away from the chicks and leave them exposed and calls may also put the birds at risk of predation.<\/p>\n

One of the most important things to remember is that an image is never as important as the safety and well being of the subject<\/strong>. Ever.<\/p>\n

Mia<\/p>\n

Click here<\/span><\/a> to see more of my Burrowing Owl photos plus facts and information about this species.<\/p>\n

For more information on the ethics of photographing nesting birds or chicks check out the Principles of Birding Ethics<\/a><\/span> published by the American Birding Association.
\n<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Burrowing Owls are arriving – Caution, Extreme Cuteness Ahead! Burrowing Owls are enchanting, entertaining and so cute they are irresistible. Everyone seems to love them. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":160107,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[511,27,52,1022,945,26,2162],"tags":[4004,55,4021,2663,4214,4068,3981,56,3976,710,3967,294,4516],"class_list":["post-20844","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-antelope-island-state-park","category-avian","category-burrowing-owls","category-davis-county-utah","category-nesting-birds","category-utah","category-wildlife-ethics-wildlife-ethics","tag-adult","tag-athene-cunicularia","tag-bird-photography","tag-birds-of-prey","tag-burrowing-owl","tag-chicks","tag-davis-county","tag-juveniles-2","tag-nesting","tag-nesting-ethics","tag-owl","tag-owls","tag-western-burrowing-owl"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/burrowing-owl-burrow-adult-mia-mcpherson-6732.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p11Mom-5qc","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":34929,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2016\/01\/19\/an-adult-burrowing-owl-in-early-spring-on-antelope-island\/","url_meta":{"origin":20844,"position":0},"title":"An adult Burrowing Owl in early spring on Antelope Island","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"January 19, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Among those spring migrants that I most look forward to seeing are the Western Burrowing Owls.","rel":"","context":"In "Antelope Island State Park"","block_context":{"text":"Antelope Island State Park","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/locations\/utah\/antelope-island-state-park\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"An adult Burrowing Owl in early spring next to it burrow on Antelope Island State Park, Utah","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/burrowing-owl-spring-mia-mcpherson-1100.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/burrowing-owl-spring-mia-mcpherson-1100.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/burrowing-owl-spring-mia-mcpherson-1100.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/burrowing-owl-spring-mia-mcpherson-1100.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14672,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2014\/04\/02\/young-burrowing-owls\/","url_meta":{"origin":20844,"position":1},"title":"Young Burrowing Owls","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"April 2, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"The past few years I have missed seeing and photographing young Burrowing Owls on Antelope Island State Park for numerous reasons.","rel":"","context":"In "Antelope Island State Park"","block_context":{"text":"Antelope Island State Park","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/locations\/utah\/antelope-island-state-park\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Juvenile Burrowing Owl with its head cocked, causeway to Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/burrowing-owl-juvenile-mia-mcpherson-5223.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/burrowing-owl-juvenile-mia-mcpherson-5223.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/burrowing-owl-juvenile-mia-mcpherson-5223.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/burrowing-owl-juvenile-mia-mcpherson-5223.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2096,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2011\/03\/14\/burrowing-owls-loved-to-death\/","url_meta":{"origin":20844,"position":2},"title":"Burrowing Owls – Loved to Death?","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"March 14, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"What made me sick was that there were three of those people tromping around the owl's burrow. I mean RIGHT up on it. They had no need to be that close but they were.","rel":"","context":"In "Antelope Island State Park"","block_context":{"text":"Antelope Island State Park","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/locations\/utah\/antelope-island-state-park\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Juvenile Burrowing Owl lift off, Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/burrowing-owl-juvenile-flight-mia-mcpherson-3910.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/burrowing-owl-juvenile-flight-mia-mcpherson-3910.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/burrowing-owl-juvenile-flight-mia-mcpherson-3910.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/burrowing-owl-juvenile-flight-mia-mcpherson-3910.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3090,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2011\/09\/11\/sequel-to-burrowing-owls-loved-to-death\/","url_meta":{"origin":20844,"position":3},"title":"Sequel to: Burrowing Owls – Loved to Death?","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"September 11, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Earlier this year in March I wrote an article titled \"Burrowing Owls - Loved to Death?\" and this post is a sequel to it.","rel":"","context":"In "Antelope Island State Park"","block_context":{"text":"Antelope Island State Park","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/locations\/utah\/antelope-island-state-park\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Young Burrowing Owl on a concrete wall, causeway to Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/burrowing-owl-juvenile-mia-mcpherson-0364.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/burrowing-owl-juvenile-mia-mcpherson-0364.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/burrowing-owl-juvenile-mia-mcpherson-0364.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":46046,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2017\/04\/07\/burrowing-owl-at-its-burrow-on-a-cloudy-day\/","url_meta":{"origin":20844,"position":4},"title":"Burrowing Owl At Its Burrow On A Cloudy Day","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"April 7, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"I photographed this Burrowing Owl adult at its burrow earlier this week not too long after a huge bank of clouds moved over Antelope Island State Park.","rel":"","context":"In "Antelope Island State Park"","block_context":{"text":"Antelope Island State Park","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/locations\/utah\/antelope-island-state-park\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Burrowing Owl adult at burrow on a cloudy day, Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/burrowing-owl-in-burrow-mia-mcpherson-4466.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/burrowing-owl-in-burrow-mia-mcpherson-4466.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/burrowing-owl-in-burrow-mia-mcpherson-4466.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/burrowing-owl-in-burrow-mia-mcpherson-4466.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":35067,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2016\/01\/22\/winter-burrowing-owls-on-antelope-island\/","url_meta":{"origin":20844,"position":5},"title":"Winter Burrowing Owls on Antelope Island","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"January 22, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"It was the first of the winter Burrowing Owls I was to find yesterday while on Antelope Island State Park.","rel":"","context":"In "Antelope Island State Park"","block_context":{"text":"Antelope Island State Park","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/locations\/utah\/antelope-island-state-park\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Back lit Burrowing Owl in winter on Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/burrowing-owl-back-lit-mia-mcpherson-5674.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/burrowing-owl-back-lit-mia-mcpherson-5674.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/burrowing-owl-back-lit-mia-mcpherson-5674.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/burrowing-owl-back-lit-mia-mcpherson-5674.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20844","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20844"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20844\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/160107"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20844"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20844"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20844"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}