This burrowing owl reflects how I am feeing about the start of the workweek. Can’t we just go back to the weekend? 😉 Thus far it has been pretty slim pickings on finding these little guys this spring. Those I have found are extraordinarily shy and a good ways off. Hopefully I can find some better spots in the coming weeks.

A fantastic photo outing this morning and one of the highlights was certainly seeing the first burrowing owl of the season. It was a loner but definitely a sign of the little ones returning for the summer. They are so stinking cute and thoroughly entertaining, definitely one of my favorites.

It is quite possible this young one from Saturday is the last one that I will photograph this year. With this cutie being the only exception, all others at the nests I have spent watching have grown up and dispersed, some likely already starting their migration south for the winter.

Although I did not spend quite as much time photographing them this year, it did seem to be a good one for the little owls. They established their summer homes near the usual spots I find them and all but one of the nests had babies and successfully fledged them.

I do still have tons of pics to share of them from previous outings and will be anxiously awaiting next spring when they return.

Oh yummy! Beetle for breakfast! Thankfully it was for the owlets and not for me. 😉

Taken a couple of weeks ago, taking care of the six owlets at this nest was a full time job for dad and mom. They got very few breaks as they were constantly on the hunt for food to keep those little mouths fed. Here, the female returns with a tasty morsel.

The owlets have started to spread out and many have started to take their first flights, making viewing them much more difficult. It won’t be long and the family will begin their journey south for the winter.

Quite the brood at this den with six little owlets. Getting pictures of all six is difficult and getting all six to look the same way is pretty much impossible.

Here, I managed to at least get five to give decent looks. That sixth, well, it of course refused to cooperate. 😉 

The young at this nest have not started testing their wings but it won’t be long and I am sure they will be.

One determined looking little owl here – and one that just is not getting much of a rest these days.

I visited some of the burrowing owl nest sites I have been watching and found all had little ones out and about. The parents were very busy with all those little mouths to feed.

This male had taken a brief break on a fence and after a time, hearing the calls of his brood, he knew he needed to get back to work. As he departed, he gave me this awesome flight shot. Of course those bright, yellow eyes just really grab your attention.

Taken from my favorite burrowing owl spot of the year, this nest has six little ones, a number that keeps the parents very busy. Mama is extraordinarily protective though, frequently sending out random warning calls sending the owlets scurrying underground. As always, these owls are very entertaining although their small size can make them a challenge to photograph, particularly in flight.

Well this was a pleasant sight on my photo drive today and coming on Father’s Day, appropriate.

Now is about the time the owlets will begin showing themselves. I spent about a half hour watching the little one and dad and never saw another but I am sure there are more down below.

This particular burrow is a pretty long shot so I am anxious for little ones at some of the closer ones that I watch to reveal themselves.

Well, this guy had eyes for me for sure. 😉 

We had challenging photo conditions most of this past weekend with heavily overcast skies and rain. That did not stop me from venturing out and Monday found me on the northeastern Colorado plains observing burrowing owls.

This handsome fellow proved to be the best photo subject of the day, giving me some great poses and, best of all, some flight shots. Here, he relocates himself closer to me and in fact ended up only about 10 feet away.

I always struggle with flight shots of these little owls as they are so fast and small and the camera has a hard time picking them out of the background. This time, things came together for a pretty cool shot.

Right now the females are spending most of their time in the nest, keeping eggs warm. Those will hatch in a few weeks then, a few weeks after that, we should start seeing the little ones emerge.