Short-eared Owl Hunting @Leslie Spit

Kris Ito · **on:** January 25, 2015, 09:05:19 PM

Always exciting to see a Short-eared Owl but today I had the pleasure of watching some interesting behaviour. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time when a pair of hikers flushed the owl not too far away from me. I stood still for awhile watching the owl fly around looking for a safer place to roost. At the time I wondered why he kept landing and then taking off again quite quickly. I also noticed that he seemed to be diving head first into the tall grasses each time. This went on for several minutes, during which time I enjoyed seeing his beautiful face - not just my usual view of their butts flying away from me! Anyway, now that I am home and looking at my collection of fuzzy distant photos, I realize that he wasn't just looking for a place to rest, he was hunting! In the last photo you can see his prey dangling below...

Short-eared Owl by Kris Ito, on Flickr

Short-eared Owl - hunting by Kris Ito, on Flickr

Short-eared Owl w/ prey by Kris Ito, on Flickr

Brian Bailey · **Reply #1 on:** January 25, 2015, 11:23:56 PM

Lucky you! I've still never seen one in good light.

BB

Sent from my birdroid using Tapatalk.

Paul O'Toole · **Reply #2 on:** January 26, 2015, 05:56:55 AM

Not sure if your aware of this but see link, thanks.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Short-earedOwls

paul_reeves · **Reply #3 on:** January 29, 2015, 04:57:06 AM

Great experience. Congrats.

Short-eared Owl Hunting @Leslie Spit

Kris Ito

Short-eared Owl Hunting @Leslie Spit

Brian Bailey

Re: Short-eared Owl Hunting @Leslie Spit

Paul O'Toole

Re: Short-eared Owl Hunting @Leslie Spit

paul_reeves

Re: Short-eared Owl Hunting @Leslie Spit