I was trying to decide what to post a picture of this morning, trying to keep an eye toward a creature I hadn’t posted in a while. Burrowing Owls were what I settled on and while I have images of these cool little ones that are far better, I remembered this one.

Taken back at the end of June, it shows more Burrowing Owls in a single picture than I have ever seen – one adult and nine young ones! I had never seen so many at a single burrow, usually finding four or five at a time. They can have clutches from two to 12 so this family was at the upper end of the spectrum.

One of this summer’s favorite pairs of Burrowing Owls. They provided me with a good number of photo opportunities although once their little ones began emerging, they became a bit more reclusive and standoffish.

It won’t be long now and the family will begin their journey to someplace further south for the winter. During the summer Burrowing Owls can be found across much of the western United States. At more southern latitudes closer to Mexico and in Florida they stay in place year round.

Unlike most owls, they are diurnal (versus nocturnal) so it is quite common to find them out and about during the day. Burrowing Owls are considered a threatened species here in the Colorado. Their numbers appear to be on the decline as humans take over and destroy their habitat.

Many folks think nothing of wiping out Prairie Dog colonies, a keystone species itself, but don’t think of the cascading effects of that on all of the other creatures down the line, including these little guys.

This adult Burrowing Owl made it pretty clear by its stare that it didn’t care too much to have its picture taken. Last year, the USDA and Denver International Airport attempted to eradicate these and other raptors from the land surrounding the airport by destroying any Prairie Dog colony nearby. While it worked in the short term, in the long term the effort failed and the Burrowing Owls (and Prairie Dogs) are back.

Kind of a fun image from a couple of weeks ago out near Denver International Airport. As planes came and went, this little guy seemed to be keeping close watch on the goings on.

There seems to have been a bumper crop of little owlets at many of the nest sites this year. One even had as many as NINE little ones! At one nearby, there were five. Here, one of the parents, probably seeking a break from all those hungry mouths, decided it would rather hang out on a roadside sign post than at home. Not a very safe thing to do but I can sympathize. 😉

😉 Mama Burrowing Owl flies and slides in at the burrow.

The lady here caught me – and her mate – a bit by surprise. I was photographing him as he was just standing there looking at me and I had assumed she was down in the burrow keeping her eggs warm.

Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I see motion and instinctively start clicking the shutter. I only managed two captures of her as she came flying in fast and hot. Judging by the look in her eyes, she was well aware I was there too.

Perhaps these little guys are baseball fans?

I’m not sure who was more surprised by the close proximity I and this Burrowing Owl found ourselves in – me or the owl.

I was taking pictures of him and his mate at their burrow about 20 yards away when suddenly he decided to fly closer and landed not 15 feet away, right outside my truck window. He seemed pretty surprised at my presence although I had been sitting there for an hour.

This pair has become quite famous due to their easily accessed location and they always seem to put on a show. It shouldn’t be long before the female retreats to the burrow with eggs and then in a month or so little ones will arrive if all goes well.

For more pics of these cool little owls, see here.

Such a treat to be able to focus this cute, male Burrowing Owl a few days ago. Last year I just did not have good luck getting quality pictures of these seasonal visitors to the Colorado plains. This guy and his mate changed my luck finally.

The pair was hanging out by their burrow a good ways from the road when suddenly, he decided to oblige me with a perch not 25 feet from my truck! I didn’t get any flight shots but captured tons of great images as he sat on a mullein plant and took in the sunrise. In fact, he posed so long, I had time to shoot a bit of cool video too – check back this evening to see that. It is well worth it.

Burrowing Owls are considered a threatened species here in the Centennial State. Their numbers appear to be on the decline as humans take over and destroy their habitat. Many folks think nothing of wiping out Prairie Dog colonies, a keystone species itself, but don’t think of the cascading effects of that on all of the other creatures down the line, including these little guys.

Burrowing Owl pair on a frosty morning. Yes, I said a pair. Look close. While the male was willing to come out and pose, the female opted to stay a bit concealed.

If there is a more entertaining bird out there I surely have never seen it. In terms of personality it would be tough to beat these little ones and I always look forward to this time of year when they arrive for the spring and summer. Last season I didn’t have much luck getting quality pics of them – hopefully I do better this year.

During the summer they can be found across much of the western United States. At more southern latitudes closer to Mexico and in Florida they stay in place year round. Unlike most owls, Burrowing Owls are diurnal (versus nocturnal) so it is quite common to find them out and about during the day.