😉 This Burrowing Owl owlet north of Denver International Airport was quite the character. While its siblings pretty much ignored me, it was very interested in the guy with the camera. Feel free to share and bring a smile to someone else’s face. Have a great weekend!
Adult Burrowing Owl in flight
I have struggled to get decent images of these fast-moving, erratic fliers but last week at least had some luck. Not as close as I would like and the houses in the background are distracting but I am pretty pleased with the images. These little guys are so much fun to watch – just can’t get enough of them!
A visit with the new Burrowing Owls
I haven’t had the opportunity to visit my little friends in a couple of weeks and since then there have been big changes. Last time I saw them, the Burrowing Owl owlets were still hiding underground.
Today they were out and about and entertaining as always. Unfortunately it was mid-afternoon so the lighting wasn’t particularly good but it was fun to watch them. Taken in Adams County, Colorado.
Scroll down to view the complete gallery from the day.
Burrowing Owl brings home breakfast
This male Burrowing Owl is returning to its burrow with a mouse or vole firmly in its grasp. I have struggled to get good flight shots of these fast, erratic fliers. This is one of the few decent ones I have gotten. It was quite a ways off so not as zoomed in as I would like. Someday I will get the flight series I long for! 😉 Taken in Adams County, Colorado.
Look into my eyes and tell me what you see!
A Burrowing Owl’s bright yellow eyes burn into the camera as it keeps close watch. This guy was perfectly content to watch me from about 15 feet away as I sat in my truck. Still no sign of mama or the little ones but they should be emerging from the burrows very soon. Taken in Adams County, Colorado, USA.
Burrowing Owl does the Hippy Hippy Shake
This little guy of course wasn’t really dancing but it did shake itself off while sitting on this fence post. At this particular spot northeast of #Denver, the males continue to be out and about and usually quite visible. Any day now I expect to start seeing the females out of the burrows and little ones making their first public appearance.
Oh great – Here comes the paparazzi
This little Burrowing Owl seemed less than enthused to be having his picture taken as he sat on a fence post. 😉
A couple of the males at one of the spots where I go to take pictures of these birds have actually grown extraordinarily tolerant. As long as you pull up slowly in your vehicle, they will stand on the fence posts and let you take all the pictures you want.
The females are still below ground right now, no doubt keeping their recently born offspring warm. Within the next few weeks those little ones should start making public appearances which is when the real fun begins. Taken in Adams County, Colorado.
Burrowing Owl ready to launch
A crazy week at work and home so this afternoon was the first time I have been out since Monday. I didn’t find a wide variety but what I did find was quite cool.
This gent and another were kind enough to pose along a dirt road for me. Here he prepares to fly back to his burrow as a truck approaches. The two would come and go regularly affording me bunches of pics. Still struggling to get a good flight shot of these little ones though.
Look! Up in the sky!
A Burrowing Owl and Prairie Dog keep watch on a pair of Swainson’s Hawks that were casing their neighborhood.
I was taking pictures of these two today when all of the Prairie Dogs started ‘barking’ incessantly. A look up revealed why as the two hawks circled repeatedly, likely looking for a meal. The Prairie Dogs all soon disappeared into their burrows while the owl didn’t seem particularly worried.
Taken north of Denver International Airport.
Can a Burrowing Owl look mean?
Can a Burrowing Owl look mean? I didn’t think it was possible but apparently they can. 😉
While it was looking at me, it was a convoy of about six semi-trucks passing by on the dirt road that really got its attention. This little guy actually looked pretty mean although at 8″ tall, I don’t think he would do much damage. 😉