Prairie Dog | Tony's Takes Photography

Burrowing owl owlet defends his home turf

July 9, 2020 by Tony Leave a Comment

“Back off, dog!”

Normally burrowing owls and prairie dogs live harmoniously in the same community. It is a symbiotic relationship with the owls nesting in abandoned prairie dog burrows and the two species sharing watch duty for threats. However, sometimes the neighbors can get a bit too close for comfort.

This past weekend I spent a morning watching a burrowing owl family with five owlets. One of the little ones did not appreciate the neighbors one bit and he did his best to appear big and mean to scare the prairie dogs off when they wandered too close.

It was so darned funny to watch the little dude (or dudette) act tough. The hunkering down and raising wings like this is a common thing that owls do in the face of a threat. It is a way to make themselves bigger and ideally ward off any bad guys.

A burrowing owl owlet puffs up to warn off a prairie dog. (Tony's Takes) — A burrowing owl owlet puffs up to warn off a prairie dog. (Tony’s Takes)

Burrowing owl defends his home and family

December 12, 2019 by Tony Leave a Comment

Burrowing owls and prairie dogs have a very symbiotic relationship. The owls take over abandoned burrows that the prairie dogs are no longer using and they become neighbors. Both then take over watch duties for the neighborhood, warning each other about potential threats.

That does not mean, however, that conflicts don’t arise between the two. Both creatures are very protective of their families and the toleration they have for each other can be tested when one gets a bit too close.

Such was the case in this sequence of images taken back in June. Keeping watch near the burrow that housed its seven owlets, the male adult did not care for an adult prairie dog that approached. It raised its wings above its head and sounded an alarm, sending the prairie dog off the other direction.

A burrowing owl warns off a prairie dog. (© Tony’s Takes)

Yum! Weeds for breakfast!

September 14, 2019 by Tony Leave a Comment

This prairie dog was quite focused on its prickly meal on the Colorado plains.

Most locals are entirely dismissive of these creatures and they are indeed oftentimes viewed as pests. The reality is though, they are a keystone species and critical to the survival of many other, more favorably thought of forms of wildlife.

Everything from foxes and coyotes to eagles and owls depend on them for food and shelter. Wipe out the prairie dog and you eliminate dozens of other species as well. Something to think about.

All in the family

June 23, 2019 by Tony Leave a Comment

What better way to start the day than hang out with the family at sunrise on the Colorado plains? Sounds good to me and apparently to these prairie dogs as well.

While some view this rodent as a pest, it is in fact a keystone species whose survival is crucial to many others. They are common on the Great Plains however their habitat is regularly threatened by human encroachment.

Prairie dog keeps watch while her pups explore their new world

May 22, 2019 by Tony Leave a Comment

It isn’t often I take pics of these little guys although they are quite common and a little bit cute.

Right now, like many mammals, they are busily raising their spring babies which add an additional dose of cuteness. While I am oftentimes dismissive of these creatures and many people think nothing about wiping out their colonies in the name of “progress,” they play a significant role in the ecosystem.

As a keystone species, many other animals are dependent on the prairie dog. Most notably, raptors and many meat-eating mammals require them for food and burrowing owls depend on them for their summer homes.

Black Footed Ferret vs Prairie Dog

September 27, 2018 by Tony Leave a Comment

Getting to see North America’s most endangered mammal, the Black Footed Ferret, is a rare and special treat. Since their reintroduction to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, I have only seen one twice, this being one of those occasions.

After spending two hours watching and waiting for the ferret to do something, it went into a burrow and seemed to be done for the day. Some, rather dumb, prairie dog then came along and alternately stuck its nose in the burrow and tossed dirt in. That was all it took and the ferret was on the hunt. He wasn’t successful but it sure was fun to watch.

Images are severely cropped as the action took place a good ways away from me. Scroll down to view the entire sequence of images.

Black-footed Ferret and Prairie Dog size each other up

Black-footed Ferret takes off on the hunt

Black-footed Ferret dives into a burrow

Prairie Dog surprised by the ferret in its burrow

Prairie Dog runs off quickly

Black-footed Ferret picks its next target

Black-footed Ferret takes on a Prairie Dog

Black-footed Ferret left without a meal

Battle over burrows

July 18, 2018 by Tony Leave a Comment

A male Burrowing Owl and a Prairie Dog face off over the rights to an underground home. Very fun to watch this interaction.

These two creatures have a very symbiotic relationship and normally get along great. The owls use abandoned Prairie Dogs’ burrows and they both share watch duties keeping all safe from intruders by sounding alarms when danger approaches.

The pair of Burrowing Owls at this spot though was very protective of their clan and did not like it when any type of creature intruded. In this case, the owl was being a bit over-protective. Its burrow was actually about 20 yards away and all this Prairie Dog was doing was wanting to return to its own home.

Thankfully for the Prairie Dog, the owls don’t sit for long so it just waited till the owl moved on and then it reclaimed its home.

A Burrowing Owl and a Prairie Dog have a discussion about the rights to a burrow. (© Tony’s Takes)

Prairie Dog lies low

July 8, 2018 by Tony Leave a Comment

It can’t be an easy life for these guys. Humans view them as pests and they are a constant target for other wildlife including coyotes, badgers and raptors. This particular one was in a burrow right by my truck and once I pointed the camera at it, it laid low, apparently trying to be inconspicuous.

While I am oftentimes dismissive of these creatures, I do recognize the significant role they play in the ecosystem. They are a keystone species, so important to many other creatures.

A Prairie Dog lies low near its burrow in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

Prairie Dog pair keeping watch

March 31, 2018 by Tony Leave a Comment

Prairie Dog pair keeping watch. I see so many of these on my photo trips that I usually just ignore them. That isn’t always easy given how loudly they ‘bark’ when they feel like they are being threatened. 😉

Anyway, today I was out for a walk and crossing through a colony and the cacophony of noise demanded my attention. All were quite focused on alerting each other about the guy with the camera so I snapped a few images of them, including these two as they peered out from their burrow.

While I am oftentimes dismissive of these creatures, I do recognize the significant role they play in the ecosystem. They are a keystone species, so important to many other creatures.

A pair of Prairie Dogs peer out from their burrow in Denver, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

Prairie Dog as a lone watchman

April 19, 2017 by Tony Leave a Comment

It can’t be easy being one of these creatures on the Great Plains. Threats abound as they are a food source for a wide variety of predators from eagles and hawks to fox and coyote. Man is an additional threat in many areas as Prairie Dogs are viewed as pests and can carry the plague. They are however a keystone species in many locations and critical to the overall health of the ecosystem.

Not only do many other species rely on them as food but others use their burrows for dens and nests. This particular Black-tailed Prairie Dog was up soon before sunrise recently, seeming to scout the immediate area to ensure it was safe for the rest of the colony to come out.

A Prairie Dog stands watch on the Great Plains. (© Tony’s Takes)