Burrowing Owl

Burrowing Owl -- Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Shoreline, Oakland, CA
Canon EOS Rebel T5i, EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS II, 1/2000s, f/5.6, ISO: 1600

Four burrowing owl dens have been built near Arrowhead Marsh in hopes of attracting these cute little owls to the area.  Last year an owl was a fairly common morning sight for a couple of months.  This year I've only seen an owl a couple of times.  I've never seen multiple owls.  I hope the place becomes popular with the little owls, but I'll be surprised if that happens.  I think the dens are too close to the road and the last time I saw an own here it barely escaped being carried off by cooper's hawk.  Hawks and harriers are common in winter, which is when the owls are visible.  I've heard that the owls used to be seen on the lawn area but I've never witnessed that.

Photo selection inspired by Geogypsy's Foto Friday Fun 110, image #1688.

Who Are You?

Burrowing Owl -- Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Shoreline, Oakland, CA
Canon EOS Rebel T5i, EF-S 55-250mm Zoom Lens, 1/320s, f/6.3, ISO: 800

I took this picture yesterday on my way to work, and while it only captures a small part of the appearance of the bird, I think it also captures a lot of the spirit of the burrowing owl.  I always look out for these potato-shaped birds on the mornings I stop by the shoreline, and it's been over a month since I last saw one.  Last time I saw an owl it had to duck into its hole to avoid being nabbed by a cooper's hawk.  I was afraid the hawk had gotten it.  Maybe it did?  This could be a different bird, I guess.