Short-eared Owl

Given the success of the other day I headed out to Boundary Bay again in the late afternoon. The owls were active with one frequenting the marsh close to the dyke.

This Short-eared did not seem to mind our presence landing close by and ruffling its feathers.

Flight shots can be difficult with a long lens when the bird is this close as you can see here.

But I did manage a few at a better distance.

The shot of the day though came when I managed to get the owl landing.

And then finished with a more classic pose on a stump.

It was a great afternoon with this Short-eared Owl.

Getting photos of the Bittern at Reifel fishing has not been an issue. The bird has certainly cooperated.

The problem is the size of the fish being caught.

They are small and not always that obvious in the photo.

I then headed out to Boundary Bay for the late afternoon/early evening hours. There were a few Short-eared Owls active.

Not long after this photo the owl caught a vole and started eating it down in the grass.

Prior to finishing, the owl moved to another area keeping its prize tucked away underneath. Then it was nap time as the sun started to go down.

Ever vigilant and not wanting to lose its dinner, the owl started vocalizing (a hissing like sound) on the approach of another Short-eared Owl flying overhead.