Short-eared Owls are always a primary photographic quarry for me whenever I visit the Centennial Valley in sw Montana but on this last trip I only found one. However, that lone bird made up for it by showing me something fairly unusual.
1/1600, f/5.6, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
These owls have short ear tufts (“ears”) but they are only rarely seen because they are usually laying down on the top of the head. Here they can be seen, but just barely.
1/2000, f/5.6, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
However, when the bird turned to face me for just a moment the tufts became visible. Typically they are only erected in a defensive pose and I don’t know if this owl deliberately displayed them to me because it thought I was too close or if a breeze from the back lifted them involuntarily. I suspect it was the latter because in the shots right after this one other feathers on the head look to be blown erect by the breeze.
Either way I was glad to see the tufts. I have hundreds of images of this species and very few of them show the “ears”.
Ron
Hello Ron 🙂 Just discovered your amazing blog! Thank you for sharing your hard work, i love your photos! Will be back to see more of your interesting blog 🙂
Greetings from another biologist 🙂
Welcome aboard Patricia. Thank you for the nice words and greetings to you also!
These owls are beautiful, and I have been lucky enough to see them when they whap their wings together. Just one more reason so save the open areas. Thanks for these great shots!
I don’t think many folks have seen (heard) that “whapping” Tana – it’s called sky dancing and it’s simply a wonderful experience to observe and hear.
Just wonderful shots… I adore owls, and these are such perfect captures.
Thanks very much Christina.
Owls are such special birds. The shot with the ‘ear tufts’ is incredible. Thank you. I have only once seen an owl and it was a special moment which will remain with me.
Elephant’s Child, I think many of us well remember our first encounter with an owl. I know I do.
Congrats on the view and photos! Beauties!
Thanks Katie.