Randy Klimek:
Back in the day short-eared owl spot, prime habitat where over 13 were spotted in one outing. This field has since been mowed and is no more a home to the Short-eared owls.
Randy Klimek:
This is how they do it - Short-eared owl hunting a field after sunset.
Randy Klimek:
The importance of viewing and photographing owls ethically by not encroaching in their habitat and disturbing them is crucial to their success.
Randy Klimek:
Keep your distance!
Randy Klimek:
Short-eared owls love to hang out near cover. This owl was photographed as it slowly looked around.
Randy Klimek:
It is good so many people are getting into owl viewing. On this evening no owls were seen perhaps because of too much noise.
Randy Klimek:
What a difference a day makes. In my experience the best time to see Short-eared owls hunting is when a lot of people are not around. I have thousands of flight shots of Short-eared owls over many years, most were taken with not many people around.
Randy Klimek:
What a wonderful world, filled with junk all over. That's life in the tri-state area, the days of pristine wilderness are long gone. Short-eared owls use these discarded items for shelter in inclement weather and for props during nature documentary photo
Randy Klimek:
Walk like an Egyptian...Short-eared owls walk uphill both ways to school, even in the snow.
Randy Klimek:
I have learned the hard way, when the sky looks like this you probobly are not going to see any owls. Still better to be early practicing your landscapes!
Randy Klimek:
I love this spot.
Randy Klimek:
This was the first frozen Short-eared owl I had ever seen. I was so worried I backed up so far and watched through my binoculars for an hour. It turned out to be fine! Great!
Randy Klimek:
Premium owl habitat, seriously it is.
Randy Klimek:
Sometimes it all comes together and you land a super clean shot of a short-eared owl. As time goes on I am less interested in 'me too' shots like this one and more interested in images that show interesting behavior or habitat.
Randy Klimek:
Short-eared owl warming up on a cold day. They do not mind people as long as you respect their space. Take a pic and move on without disturbing them, they will just go back to sleep.
Randy Klimek:
Habitat after the mow and before the snow. The field to the right was at one time the best short-eared owl habitat in the area. it was mowed due to the influx of photographers.
Randy Klimek:
Frozen beauty. Short-eared owl.
Randy Klimek:
My type of highway! One where you have the chance of seeing wildlife.
Randy Klimek:
The head turn.
Randy Klimek:
I love pallets in my landscapes, and you never know there could be a Short-eared owl hiding next to one. It takes an open mind to find them.
Randy Klimek:
Secret grass hiding spots.
Randy Klimek:
Always bring your binoculars, there is a short eared own in the filed way back, 2 o'clock.
Randy Klimek:
This just goes to show you how well they could conceal themselves. Usually in the day time, they are sitting down in the grass or a spot like this. Short-eared owls will hunt during daytime, but in my experience usually after 2pm.
Randy Klimek:
Taking cover on a very windy day. Short-eared owls seem to always have a friend nearby and they are masters of using the landscape for protection from the elements.
Randy Klimek:
I can relate to this, napping during the day. Short-eared owls spend much of the daytime hours doing exactly this. Perched low and resting, or looking around slowly.
Randy Klimek:
Short-eared owls have such good insulation that their body heat doesn't melt the snow off, the sun shining on them does.
Randy Klimek:
Every short-eared owl comes standard with individually dilating pupils.
Randy Klimek:
I could still see you. This absolutely stunning Short-eared owl curiously looked right into the lens as I took this image. Wow, they are magnificent! Then I left and watched it go back to sleep. This was one experience and image I will never top or forget
Randy Klimek:
A friend nearby is always welcome. Short-eared owls.
Randy Klimek:
A fitting end to our story, a Short-eared owl perched in the distance and basking in the glow of a sun pillar. FYI-sun pillars form when sunlight reflects off the surfaces of falling ice crystals