Burrow Owls

[KHarmon]

Went out and did some photography today. Got very lucky to find this guy on my adventure. This Burrow Owl appears to possibly be the last remaining owl in this colony. I did see four or five burrows but only this one owl. He or she was not impressed with my presence.

1. Peek-a-boo


2. Who do you think you're looking at?



3. Your car is over there.....go to it!



4. GO AWAY!!!

[IzzieK]

What a beautiful story it tell Kris! When you say Burrow Owls, do they really live in holes on the ground? Better google this one....sorry...

[Shadowman]

Lucky indeed, nice captures.

[KHarmon]

What a beautiful story it tell Kris! When you say Burrow Owls, do they really live in holes on the ground? Better google this one....sorry...

They do indeed live in the ground. They will take over abandoned prairie dog holes and make them their home. Typical owls have a diet of small mammals and while the burrow owl will eat some small mammals, their primary diet consists of insects.

[KHarmon]

Lucky indeed, nice captures.

Thank you Shadowman.

[mknittle]

Very nice Kris.

[Nicks Pics]

Cool shots! Quality wise, I might say #2 is the best. I've heard of these guys before, I think that would be neat to get a chance to photograph them .

[FrankMi]

Neat! Very interesting images and I learned something about Owls that I didn't know before. That helps make my day!

I found them listed on the web as Burrowing Owls and are noted for their long legs that they use for sprinting across the ground. Fascinating!

Other than the focus point being back a bit in the first one, that is my favorite.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Kris,

On the histogram, the red channel looks blown, I'd have tried a bit less exposure, but that's my only minor critique.

They are nice captures - I have shot one of these at a wildlife reserve here in UK, where it was being demonstrated, I don't recall my shots being this good, well done.

[Wavelength]

really great... i really laughed to see the final one, "go away'; very well narrated

[NorthernFocus]

One of the birds on my bucket list. Near the top as a matter of fact. Nicely captured. No.2 is awesome. IMO the strongest perched/grounded pose on birds is from behind with them looking back over a shoulder. No.2 exemplies that. Well done.

[Saorsa]

They do indeed live in the ground. They will take over abandoned prairie dog holes and make them their home. Typical owls have a diet of small mammals and while the burrow owl will eat some small mammals, their primary diet consists of insects.

They will also dig their own burrows. Here in FL if you want them you need to find a clear spot in grass and do a 'scratch' for them to start on and they will dig in. They like it if there is something two or three feet high that they can observe from. Often, they discover pre-built burrows in the drainage pipe below driveways but that's not good for nesting since the bottom holds water and the nest is flooded.

Hawks and egg-eating snakes are their worst enemies. The perch lets them see snakes and make them prey before they get to the eggs.
We used to have a colony about 1/2 mile from my house on a group of vacant lots.

[KHarmon]

Thank you for the comments everyone. I was shooting in very bright light which is always a challenge for me. I like #2 the best of the group as well but the face in #4 made me laugh even when I looked at it in camera. It started making that face when it got agitated at our intrusion and that was actually the last shot I got before it flew away.

[selig1656]

Now that is some fine shoot'n.

[KHarmon]

really great... i really laughed to see the final one, "go away'; very well narrated

I appreciate it. She was really irritated at me at that point.

[Saorsa]

I appreciate it. She was really irritated at me at that point.

Ours think they are important, post signs and get very angry.

[FlyingSquirrel]

Hi Kris. Certainly a fantastic species, one of my fave birds. You are very lucky to have access. You didn't mention if you are looking for critique or not, so I will pass on that and just say it was fun to see these.

[KHarmon]

Ours think they are important, post signs and get very angry.

He knows who the important bird is. As a matter of fact, he seems to think he is THE most important bird.

[KHarmon]

Hi Kris. Certainly a fantastic species, one of my fave birds. You are very lucky to have access. You didn't mention if you are looking for critique or not, so I will pass on that and just say it was fun to see these.

Critique is always welcome. I know my weakness is in post processing in a lot of cases and I readily admit that weakness. I just don't have the time to dedicate to learn the tricks of post processing. I certainly miss the days of film when I shot pictures in the late 80's and 90's. Time in the darkroom was always fun times for me.