Burrowing Owl ‘Love’
Last week I attempted another drive-by on some of the Burrowing Owl locations on Marco Island in hopes of seeing one again, maybe catch a glimpse of a chick. One chick has already been seen by another!
At one location, a lone male owl was sitting at a burrow entrance. Well outside their respected area, I was putting the sun behind me to take a shot, when the female emerged from a separate burrow in their compound.
As soon as she popped out, the male flew over and landed alongside her. You can see the sand still kicked up in the first photo of him landing on the left.
With a quick “Hey Sweetheart” look, the male attempted to mate with her. She certainly didn’t look too pleased, did she?
(click on the first photo to run through the full series)
Burrowing Owl “Love”
Burrowing Owl “Love”
Burrowing Owl “Love”
Burrowing Owl “Love”
Burrowing Owl “Love”
Burrowing Owl “Love”
Burrowing Owl “Love”
Burrowing Owl “Love”
Burrowing Owl “Love”
Burrowing Owl “Love”
Maybe it wasn’t so successful this try, but didn’t he give her a little head nuzzling during? It looked like it to me! Awwww…….
While the male stood guard, the female immediately went to kicking sand out of their burrow.
Great photos Donna, I love those big yellow eyes and the feather patterns. I follow an account on Instagram called Save The Burrowing Owl or something close to that. Beautiful birds!! 🥰
Thank you, John! I tried desperately to see one out west back in 2016 but failed. So this has really been special to see these owls. 😊
Awesome captures of an amazing creature!
Thank you, Cindy!
Awesome sequence of photos! I also learned about the burrowing owl.
Thank you!
Super series…
Thank you, Carol!
Precious little things! Great pictures, Donna. 🙂
They are! Thank you, HJ! 🙂
What an amazing owl that it walks around in the daylight on the ground and burrows! So unnatural behaviour for an owl species. Lovely photos Donna, and how cool to see male and female doing life. :-).
Thank you, Ashley, they are quite amazing! Just doesn’t seem quite right, does it, lol. Oh my, they really took me for surprise! 😉
What cuties! She didn’t exactly kick him away but she didn’t look overjoyed either. 🙂
Thank you, Susan! The looks birds throw during mating can be quite comical at times. 🙂
Looks like she’s trying to ignore him. Too funny!
It does! Thank you Janet!
Wonderful photos!
Thank you, Sheree!
Shhhh…don’t disturb them… 😀 😀
hee hee I don’t think they cared I was there 😅
Wow! Such amazing images. Well done, indeed.
Thank you, Irene! 😊
Beautiful series of images Donna! Owls are fun to see & photograph!
Thank you, Reed, they are!
Brilliant photos, Donna. Great to know that the nesting burrows are working.
Thank you, Imorgana! It would be wonderful to keep this endangered owl going strong. 🙂
Yes, these cross looking owls are well worth preserving.😁
Wonderful captures, Donna, and great you got to see this interaction.
Thank you, Ellen, really caught me off guard, sure wasn’t expecting this! A friend was with me, we were full of giggles. 🙂
Beautiful pictures amazing
Thank you!
My pleasure 💋
She didn’t look too impressed😏. Excellent series, Donna!
It was a, geez….again? moment. 😉 Thank you, Belinda!
Hmmm, more practice needed, methinks. 😉
😅 Thanks for the giggle, Eliza!
Should this be R rated? Great captures!
Oops! 😉 Thanks Gunta!
Who knows what she was thinking, Donna. They do look carmudgeonly even on the best of days, don’t you think?
😅 I agree, Tanja!
They are so dang cute. I get embarrassed, sometimes, when breeding season comes around. I feel like a peeping Tom. *blush*
Thank you, Vic, I know what you mean! 😊
WOW, these are great! Running through the series is like watching a little movie. I like the 2nd one where he is hovering to the left of her! I thought I had caught up with you recently but I see how much more you’ve posted! You’ve been very busy!
Thank you, Denise! This little series was a special RPRT moment for me. With ALL the fantastic birding ops in FL from January to March, I have been super busy! 😉
Burrowing owls are the best!
They are! Thank you, Pam!