Look Who Came to Play Today~

Dec19

A burrowing owl,

at his Salton Sea home in California.

He stayed out for his modeling shoot,

and didn’t fly off or run into his burrow.

He was definitely ready for his close-ups!

Burrowing owls (athene cunicularia hypugaea) are a California species of special concern and are listed as endangered in Canada and threatened in Mexico due to excessive development and habitat loss.

This is his Salton Sea home.

Cheers to you from Southern California’s sociable burrowing owl~

261 thoughts on “Look Who Came to Play Today~”

  4. These are stunning captures of an adorable little owl, Cindy! I just love the second shot! There are Eastern Burrowing Owls in southwest Florida where they are also protected, with numerous burrows in several locations, including on Marco Island where I saw them last winter. One burrow is across the street from the Publix grocery store, many in people’s yards! They are fascinating, thank you for sharing yours. Now I can’t wait to see ‘mine’ again soon! 🥰

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    • How wonderful that you have seen them and live near them! They used to live extensively across Southern California, but now are limited to discrete areas where attempts are being made to protect them. They are the most adorable creatures and quite sociable if you approach them carefully დ

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  7. I remember when I was in primary school our teachers taught us poems about the owl. All that is gone away from my memory. We were told an owl is a very intelligent bird. I wish I could remember at least one poem. The owls I saw were brown, these are white. They seem comfortable in this place. 🙂

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    • Owls are mysterious aren’t they. We often hear but don’t see them since they come out mostly at night. It was an honor to interact with this little. He was comfortable. Stay safe & well my friend დ

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  29. Beautiful! We had a screech owl who made a nest in a partially dying tree. We looked up and thought it was a fox because of the color and ears. Right, we know foxes don’t climb trees! Lo and behold she had a baby all fuzzy and white. We have great pictures of this as we came across the baby on the ground and the mother was in a tree with her talons prominent and glaring at us. What an experience!!!

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    • How wonderful! We have resident barn owls and great horned owls. Sometimes the babies fly down and visit and I got swooped by a great horned owl. I was imitating their calls and he whisked by my head in the dark, ruffling my hair, but not making any contact. Pure magic დ

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  58. O my goodness….I can only imagine what a comical, magical moment that was! He’s actually posing for you, and true to form your photography captures the clarity of the moment so well. Wow…

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  63. Cindy, you posted this just for me, didn’t you — I’m sure you remember how much I love owls!! This one’s a beauty, with his colorful feathers, immense talons, and hazel eyes, and I’m thrilled you got so many close-ups!

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    • Awww… I am truly touched by your thoughtfulness Teresa and of course, I <3 my friends who <3 owls! Thank you sincerely my friend and Happy & Healthy Holidays დ დ

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  69. Thanks for sharing these great photos of this interesting bird. I don’t think we have this species here on Vancouver Island. We have lots of trees here, and so that’s where our owls hang out. We frequently see Great Horned Owls. Rabbits and mice aren’t so happy to see them.

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  70. How sweet!
    I get so tired of hearing about all the threatened animals.
    There is something wrong with humans….. EEEEEEEK!!!! I am one of them.
    Hugely embarrassing!
    Beautiful shots, Cindy.
    OH and we are in sync! I have owls in my post!! LOL

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  73. Every creature that you observe, preens for you. They know you are there to make us aware and they always give you their best angles. You have such a rare gift. I love these sweet owls.

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  79. So sad to hear about the threatened animals. All over the world, we have spread out too far. Taken too much. Dug too deeply. Littered the heavens with satellites. But I sure don’t hesitate to use my cellphone. Sigh.

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  87. Definitely a model behavior.Lol Than you for sharing another great impressions, Cindy! I am a little bit late, and hope you had a wonderful Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas, and before i will forget let me wish you and yours a blessed and happy New Year too. Michael

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  89. I actually watched a (perhaps National Geo) special that included a burrowing owl at a golf course.
    The keeper finally had to relocate the fellow and low and behold – the bird found a mate after thinking he was all alone!! So cute!!

    Happy New Year!! Cheers, Jules

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    • It just brings a full body smile, doesn’t it, about people who live around wild animals, and find ways to protect them. Love to you Jules & Happy New Year 🍾 <3

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      • There was a Nat. Geo series about how small animals survive. One had a snake and a crow become friends!! Especially after they saved a human from fire from his fishing cabin that caught fire!! I’m not sure how they staged the shows but they were fun programs to watch.

        All the best for 2021!! Love, Jules

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  93. They are so adorable. I had never heard of or imagined such a thing before the first time I went to Albuquerque. The power company (back then) had a live cam for “Bob the burrowing owl.” They are fascinating.
    I hope you had a delightful Christmas. Hugs on the wing!

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    • They are utter charm and so threatened. I am glad a company had a cam, named a burrowing owl ‘Bob,’ and cared about him. Love and Happy New Year Teagan. I hope we spend 2021 together my friend 🍾 <3

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