Short-Eared Owl

This gallery contains 5 photos. Owls command a special kind of magic, even among those who aren’t nature lovers. There is something simultaneously awe-inspiring, and terrifying about these feathered hunters. Maybe it’s those big eyes, or their ability to rotate their heads an amazing 270 degrees (owl eyes are fixed in their sockets, so they have to be able to swivel their heads to such a large extent). Or that legendary sense of hearing that allows them to locate prey from the sound of their heartbeats from 100 feet away, even on cloudy, moonless nights, or in pitch black darkness.

that beautiful barring runs all along on the back, head, wings, and tail (Nov 23)
f/7.1, 1/400, 500mm, ISO 1000

The Short-Eared Owl whom I had the unexpected pleasure of meeting a few days ago at Boundary Bay was exceptional. “Shorties”, as they are colloquially known among birders, are diurnal (day) hunters (although they will hunt at all times of the day or night, given the opportunity and availability of prey), and can often be seen stalking prey on the wing from fall through spring in the marshes–but often from great, great distances away. My barrel-shaped subject decided to break a few rules, and sat on the wooden posts just outside one of the local golf courses–15 feet away from a small horde of photographers–on an unexpectedly beautiful sunny afternoon when temperatures climbed to an amazing 20 C.

the only owl I know of to wear black mascara so fashionably! (Nov 23)
f/7.1, 1/400, 500mm, ISO 1000 

Not only was the Shortie completely at ease with all the attention it was receiving, but it spent most of the time ignoring the shutter clicks aimed its way–focusing instead on preening its feathers. Except for the times when it would bestow its golden gaze upon us, we were entranced by it simply giving itself (several) mani-pedis! It was also because of this close encounter that I discovered its feathered feet. That’s right — Shorties “wear socks”!

when you perch in the same position for a long time, it’s good to have a stretch (Nov 23)
f/7.1, 1/400, 500mm, ISO 1000 

Short-Eared Owls are so named for the short ear tufts they sport, which may or may not be visible. Consider them the equivalent of human eyebrows–these tufts telegraph alertness of other predators. This Shortie was on high alert, because it shares its hunting territory with the equally opportunistic owl-faced Northern Harrier (two females were flying near by, hoping to snatch this mouse away; the Shortie will also return the favor when a Harrier has prey).

mid-distance shot of Short-Eared Owl in flight over hunting grounds
f/8, 1/320, 500mm, ISO 1000

I was able to see this Shortie hunt right before my eyes–silently snagging a hapless vole in seconds, in the marshes just meters from our feet. There were no telltale rustles to give its prey away, nor wingbeats to give the predator away. That’s because Shorties, like many other owls, are also gifted with silent flight feathers.

with vole in its grasp. note alert ear tufts — competition is nearby! (Nov 23)
f/8, 1/320, 500mm, ISO 1000 

Short-Eared Owls are natural pest control specialists; they do a great service for our dining tables, eliminating rodents which would otherwise destroy valuable crops and/or spread disease. Often we do not get the chance to see such regal creatures up close, but when we do, it is a real gift, and we should respect them by giving them distance and opportunity to do what they do best. To learn more about the Short-Eared Owl, please visit its Cornell Lab of Ornithology allaboutbirds.org profile.

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