Owl Invasions
Short-eared owls are quite rare here. Fortunately, every few years, usually when the mouse population peaks, we’re treated to an owl invasion. Unfortunately for me, being without a driver’s license, these invasions often take place in areas I can’t reach.
A Photographer’s Invasion
But as luck would have it, an owl invasion is always accompanied by a wildlife photographer invasion. Scientists haven’t quite figured out the correlation, as wildlife photographers aren’t exactly known for their need for mice, but that’s beside the point. The good news is, the migration route of these photographers passes almost right by my house. Which means I get plenty of calls and messages:
“Hey, I’m heading to the short-eared owls, want to come along?”
Yes please! Because it’s always fun. Hours of chatting in the car, sometimes so engaging that I’ve made colleagues miss four highway exits in a single trip; my personal record. At least you stay up to date on all the latest gossip in photographer-land.
Once there, though, you have to temporarily set aside any deep desire for a pure nature experience. The place is swarming with cars in a slow-moving parade. The challenge: when an owl lands on a fence post, you need to maneuver yourself into the perfect front-row spot. I quickly discovered that short-eared owls aren’t shy at all. You can calmly walk or even crawl closer. But that doesn’t work so well with a whole herd of people. The owl sees us coming. So… car it is.
My Rally Driver Mom
I once went with my non-photographer mother. I gave her directions, and like a seasoned rally driver she positioned us perfectly in front of each owl. We had so much fun! She was especially impressed by the giant camera lenses sticking out of car windows. The who-has-the-biggest-competition was clearly in full swing.
But the real magic happened about an hour before sunset, when the owls began to hunt. They glided over the fields like giant, rippling butterflies, diving for mice; an unforgettable sight. And on the -extra long- drive home, we relived every moment, laughing all over again.
Owl facts:
Did you know that the colour of an owl’s eyes can give a clue about whether it hunts by day or night?
- Yellow eyes, like those of short-eared and little owls, are often found in species active during the day and/or early twilight. Yellow eyes are better adapted to seeing well in bright light.
- Orange eyes, like those of long-eared owls and eagle owls, belong to species that typically hunt at dusk.
- Dark eyes, like those of tawny and barn owls, indicate typical night hunters. The high concentration of melanin may help them hunt in the dark.
Of course, none of this is set in stone. Just like us, owls can adapt their behavior and break the “rules” whenever they please.
More owl photography and stories.
