It would appear I got this little one’s attention, eh? Taken back in July as the owlets were just starting to test their wings, this one’s siblings opted to retreat for cover but it remained brave checking out the intruder with the camera.

Burrowing owls are certainly one of my favorite summertime photo subjects and this year I did get some fun pics of them. Their time in Colorado has come to an end and most have now started their migration south for the winter. When the snow begins to melt next spring, you can bet I will be watching for their return.

Don’t tell these two that mating season is over as they definitely were still making like springtime lovebirds. 😉 Taken a couple of weeks ago, the parents were hanging out at the family home. Their little ones had started to fledge and were scattered around, exploring their new world. Now empty nesters, the parents took advantage of their restored freedom, enjoying each other’s company.

A male burrowing own returns to the nest and is greeted by his beautiful bride. The time these two have with their little ones is fleeting. All are now flying, exploring their new world in the immediate area around the family home. The parents undoubtedly welcome this as it gives them a break from the constant hunting and feeding that they have been doing up until now. For me, it is a bit sad as it won’t be long and they will all scatter and then, not long after, head south for the winter.

With four little ones now regularly coming out of the nest, the parents are busier than ever. Certainly a lot of time is spent hunting and bringing food back to the little ones but they also must stand watch and keep the family safe. Here, dad takes a turn keeping an eye on the area for threats. With a quick call from him, the owlets would return to the burrow and hunker down until the danger passes.

Yesterday was my first chance of the season to get some quality pics of the burrowing owl owlets. This trio wasn’t particularly active but they were, as always, so stinking cute and fun to watch. The looks they give just crack me up. Have a great Sunday!

These little guys are so much fun to photograph but getting flight shots of them is quite difficult. They fly surprisingly fast and usually stick low to the ground making it hard to focus on them. Certainly I have many great pics of grass in focus and some blurry, brown thing in the air. Haha.

On this occasion a couple weeks ago, this handsome male decided to do a quick tour of the area around his home and, thankfully, I was able to stay locked on to him getting some decent captures.

Yeah, clearly this little one was well-aware of my presence. While it was tolerant of the intrusion, its body language showed that it was ready to go if need be. I maintained my distance, just happy to get some nice poses from it as it hung out near its summer home on the Colorado plains.

I always say that ounce for ounce, burrowing owls probably have more personality than any other critter I photograph. With their return to the Colorado plains over the last week or so, that continues to ring true.

This handsome fellow and his mate had just arrived after a long migration from their winter homes in the southern United States and Mexico. Staking out their home meant investigating anything and everything – including the photographer that was taking pictures of them.

The handsome fellow flew up right near my truck and began the amusing head bobbing that these little owls are known for, studying me and ensuring I wasn’t a threat.