I’ve reported previously on this blog that Barn Owl populations took a huge hit this past winter in northern Utah. It was dreadfully cold for much of the winter with lots of snow. Normally that’s not a major problem for these owls but with deep snow on the ground we had a warm spell that melted the surface of the snow and immediately after that we had an extended cold snap. Those conditions caused a hard crust of ice to form on the snow surface that lasted for weeks.
Barn Owls normally plunge through snow to get at voles which are their primary prey but with the crust on the surface they couldn’t get at them and many of the owls starved to death. It was heartbreaking to see those owls looking ragged and literally shivering in the cold in a vain effort to keep warm without the food required to stoke their internal furnaces.
But here are two hardy survivors! They hang out in a metal hay shed and I’ve known they were there but they’re nearly always almost completely hidden from view during daytime. But last week I found these two out in the relative open and couldn’t resist snapping off a few shots.
Not a pretty setting and they’re partly obscured but it takes more than rusty metal in front two beautiful Barn Owls to put this bird photographer off.
The seeds of hope for next year…
Ron
Hi Ron,
I was there a couple of weeks ago to see how the barn owls were doing and I got a glimpse of a 3rd owl. Did you happen to see a 3rd owl when you were there? I hope he(she) is ok. I was thrilled to see the trio sitting there happy and healthy. I got the same setting, but it was great to just observe them as well. LOVE owls!
Thanks, Jolie
Who cares about the setting! Wonderful to see these survivors. Best wishes from your ‘UK Barn Owl Friend’
The loss of habitat and nesting sites — so visible to all of us who see — is one of the most devastating things I encounter. What makes it more difficult is being surrounded by people who simply don’t seem to care. I’m amazed that even in 2013, many are still oblivious to who and what they are displacing with even the simplest changes in habitat. I wish this understanding was always at the forefront of consciousness whenever development was undertaken. Because of all that it is, indeed, lovely to see these two portrayed so beautifully by you and your lens. Thanks, Ron.
they are absolutely stunning… I have fingers crossed for next winter…
Ron, barn owls are one of my favorite raptors and I’ve done a lot of reading up on them and observing them in the wild on streaming web cameras around the world the past few years. Typically the female has more spots and is darker on the chest, to aid in camouflage when brooding on the eggs since they sit on them practically 24/7 until hatch. However, I have read cases where an owl with a pure white chest thought to be a male later laid an egg, proving that theory wrong! That is a beautiful photo and have no issue with the rusty beams in the picture.
It looks to me like these two are both females, as they are quite dark. Not a 100% indicator, of course, but I’m hoping they’ll find a couple of handsome guys to start families with for next year!
Interesting, Louise. I guess I’ve got some learning to do about aging this species. Thank you.
Sad how many supposedly intelligent people, especially those in powerful positions, don’t realize that there really is such a thing as climate change and global warming…or that not only are shooter spring times and hotter summers indicators, but so are increased snowfalls and other changes in winter weather. Too bad for us all that they are so greedy, shortsighted, uncaring and stupid! I’ve been around awhile and the changes I’m seeing make depressed, angry and sick!
Ron,
I’m glad to hear the owls are doing well. They really are beautiful birds. A non serious question for you. How do you decide when to include the EXIF in your posts?
Fair question, John. I know I’ve become a little lax about that lately. Typically I’ve been leaving them out when I’ve made the wrong setting choice or when the conditions produced relatively poor image quality or when I just didn’t have the time to include them (lazy, I know).
I’m hoping to go on another camping/photo trip soon so I’ve already worked up some posts to be published in my absence – some of them won’t have exif data either. But I promise that after I return I’ll be more diligent about including my techs.
It’s sad, but true that our barns, too are disappearing…torn down for housing developments, shopping malls, and other forms of “progress” (“regress”?). Many are just being allowed to fall down due to lack of money for repairs and upkeep, or lack of need. Thanks to Agra-industry, big business, developers and Wall Street, and our very scary reliance on imported food, our farms, barns, and homegrown food sources should be put on the “threatened” list along with barn owls and so many other things we once were able to take for granted and enjoy.
No, the setting isn”t Pretty, but seeing two, healthy barn owls is BEAUTIFUL!!! It gives me a lift just to see them looking so good. Thanks! Not only weather is tough on them, but loss of safe nesting areas is another big challenge for the. We never had any in our barn, but I wished we did.
I agree, Patty. Seeing two apparently healthy Barn Owls was encouraging. We’re seeing the loss of many typical Barn Owl nesting sites disappear too. It seems like every few months I notice another old barn or farm building torn down…