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~
How beautiful! Fantastic photos.
Awww, honored. Thank you very much დ
An accidental man-made sea that spawned an industry — and ecosystem.
The whole history of the sea is amazing isn’t it. Now it is a critical winter resting place on The Pacific Flyway, sheltering millions of migrating birds დ
Such a gorgeous creatures! Wonderful photographs Cindy.
Thanks my friend! I <3 people who <3 owls დ
Who could not love those awesome birds? They are fascinating!
<3 <3
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! 🥰
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
Great close-ups om a small but amazing owl.
Thank you Hans. They are enchanting little creatures დ
Burrowing owls are adorable. We have them on the west mesa.
They are adorable and not too skittish. Awesome they live near you დ
So gorgeous! We are at Cachuma Lake near Santa Barbara for the winter and spring and really hope to be able to travel to the Salton Sea area sometime while we’re here. Go away Rona! 😒
Be sure to visit Unit 1 of the Sonny Bono Wildlife Refuge. Use the platforms and walk the trails. There will likely be no one there. It is the perfect place to go during the pandemic. Don’t bother with the nature center. It is closed anyway due to covid. Google https://www.fws.gov/refuge/sonny_bono_salton_sea/
Thank you for the recommendation! We will definitely do that! 😊
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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. 🙂
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
What a sweetheart and great photography to illustrate this fascinating creature.
Thank you Dor. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas დ
Obviously, he trusted you.
Which is such an honor… დ დ
It is such a cute owl! Great captures!
Thanks my friend. He is cuteness personified დ
I think Mr. Owl was trying to make sure you got his good side!
And, he really wanted good lighting on his face….. დ
Oh wow! How special!
Yes! He was a wonderful Christmas present დ
Handsome fellow! Merry Christmas to you and yours, Cindy! You will be warmer than we are. Blessings on the little ones!
Merry Christmas to you and your family Peter. I will you health and happiness in the New Year my friend დ
Oh my goodness Cindy, what a magnificent bird! You’ve really captured his personality.
Thank you Sheree. I am so glad you see his personality. Be safe & well <3
Thanks and you too Cindy
❤️
Very cute 🦉❤️ I love that landscape as well! Thank you very much, Cindy 👍 ✨ ✨ ✨
Thank you more for your very thoughtful appreciation & cheers to you დ
Thank you Cindy!
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Wonderful captures, Cindy. They are the most adorable birds! I hope protections will improve their numbers.
Thank you Eliza. I hope the protections work too. They used to be prevalent in SoCal, but now it is a rarity to see them დ
What a gorgeous creature, and cooperative model! Thank you for sharing him with us.
Thank you more for appreciating him & cheers to you my friend დ
Wonderful, Cindy! Yes, this one was definitely ready for his close up! Have a safe weekend!
Thanks much Sheila. You stay safe too my friend. These are perilous days დ
How lovely
They are very special little guys დ
Great images.. So pretty 💯💯💯
Very happy you enjoyed these cuties & thank you დ
My pleasure 🌹❤️💐
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Beautiful shots, thanks for sharing.
Thank you more for your kind appreciation Rebecca & cheers დ
I love owls. They’re beautiful and they eat rodents. What great birds they are.
We have resident barn owls and great horned owls at The Holler. Our barn owl parents nest each spring in our owl box. They are lovely to live with დ
How fortunate. Great idea to set up the nest box. Must be very rewarding to watch the owlets.
It is a lot of fun. Different birds have different personalities, some will come right up to you.
They do look wise Cindy.
Leslie xoxo
It is those amazingly penetrating eyes and stare დ
What a beautiful opportunity for some good closeups!
He is clearly a star and my kind of model!! )
Oh I am jealous. I adore owls!
I do too and I <3 people who <3 owls დ
Hi Cindy, my sister just sent me a pick from the Ballarat Wildlife Sanctuary, a pair of of Tawny Frog Mouth Owls with their chick !! I hope the link works for you..
https://1drv.ms/u/s!Asumt4cZ9A65hNdQ_W8nVnHeTETo4A?e=3wNJ1Z
Oh my gosh!!! They are amazing! The faces are priceless. Thank you so much for sending me this. Wonderful დ დ დ
As soon as I saw the pic’… wow.. Cindy will love this…. 🦉🦉💙🌏
You were completely correct. Thanks again Ivor & Happy Holidays დ
💙🌏😊🎅
Beautiful photos of a beautiful creature 🙂 x
Thank you Polly. Very kind of you დ
Isn’t he a darling! What terrific photos, Cindy.
Season’s Greetings to you, Cindy; good wishes for your health and happiness. 🎄
Thank you Lynette. I send wishes for health and happiness to you too my friend, now and in the coming year დ
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!!!
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
Such a sweet, beautiful little dude. You’ve got absolutely incredible photos of him. xx
Awww….I <3 my friends who <3 owls დ
Hard to imagine an owl on the ground, but he/she looks very at home and beautifully photographed 🙂
Thank you very much Vicki. Ground dwelling does make them more vulnerable, but also more approachable დ
Let’s hope our new administration protects all these beautiful little creatures. Thank you Cindy for playing a big part in protecting them with your beautiful wonderful pictures.
Amen to that. Hopefully all creatures great and small will matter again. Thank you Michele for your very kind thoughts. They are appreciated დ
Beautiful birds!
Grazie mille დ
🙂
What a dear owl! That is a beautiful series, Cindy!
Very pleased you enjoyed Lavinia & thank you my friend დ
Oh, lucky you! I love owls (we don’t see many around here).
They are mysterious and winsome creatures. Happy you love them დ
Love seeing the world and your friends through you lens.
Visa versa 2UX2 Rebecca & thank you my friend დ
Terrific captures! Love this little guy 💕
<3 my friends who <3 owls დ
What a cute little owl you captured for us, Cindy! I am glad that you also added the landscape so we know where the burrowing owl has its home.
Thank you for such a thoughtful comment Peter. I am happy you enjoyed the owl and are interested in his home. Stay safe and well my friend
What a beauty. They are interesting birds, we have owls in the trees behind us and sometimes when I walk the dogs I see one. Those eyes are something.
I love living with owls. We get to know each other and it is such a privilege to be near them. I am glad you get to experience this დ
How truly beautiful. Owls are amazing and he did pose for you, no doubt about it. <3
Animals are so much smarter than we give them credit for, but you already know this my friend. Stay safe and well დ
Don’t you just love it when wildlife poses for you! Beautiful shots as always Cindy.
Alison
Yes. I feel truly honored by their trust. დ
A blessed visitor, Cindy, wonderfully captured. ♥
Thank you my friend. He was indeed a blessed visitor! Stay safe & well დ
Owl be darned. Handsome lad. Best wishes.
Back at you x two John დ
Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
Pictures from Cindy Knoke if a friendly burrowing owl.
I am grateful for you Patricia, thank you my friend. Stay safe & well and Happy Holidays დ
Love the Owl and light Cindy!
Mother Nature set up these shots for me!! დ
Mesmerisingly beautiful.
Awww….So happy you enjoyed & thank you! დ
Stunning
Grazie mille დ
Your usual splendid work with lens and keyboard
Awww, Happy & Healthy Holidays to you and your family Derrick. Stay safe and well my friend დ
And you and yours, Cindy X
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He’s a fine looking chap. I had never heard of burrowing owl before. He has such long legs, for digging and running I suppose?
Yes. He spends most of this life on the ground so he needs good sprinting legs! Happy Hols Emma დ
And to you Cindy
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wünsche ein schönes Fest trotz alledem, Klaus
Das glücklichste und gesündeste Weihnachtsfest an dich, mein lieber Freund, und danke! დ
Can i burrow this cute owl for a day? That’s owl for now. (●මᴗමσ)σணღ*
I would say yes, but unfortunately, he is owlfully attached to his own little burrow!! 😉 დ
That’s owlright, my friend ♡ฅ(ᐤˊ꒳ฅˋᐤ♪)
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Grossartige Bilder liebe Cindy. Ich wünsche Dir frohe Weihnachten. Ernst
Danke, mein lieber Freund. Ich wünsche Ihnen eine glückliche und gesunde Weihnachtszeit, mein Freund დ
Beautiful, nature and wildlife is the best these days for our sanity!
Yes indeed. The Salton Sea Wildlife Reserve is empty of people, full of wildlife, and perfect during a pandemic. Stay safe and well my friend and Happy Advent დ
She is so heartwarming cute! <3
They are adorable creatures! დ
It looks like they like or live on the ground. Or only when they found food there. Cute pictures!
They spend most of their life on the ground and live and raise their young in burrows. This guy lived in the pipe you see in the photos. დ
What a gorgeous owl! Nature has such lovely gifts for us.
Yes indeed and I am happy you appreciate them. Cheers to you დ
😊
What a beautiful animal! Thank you, Cindy.
Merci beaucoup mon ami Jennie დ
😍
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…
I am touched and honored by your truly thoughtful comment Liza. Thank you my friend & cheers დ
Just beautiful!
Grazie mille Dani დ
Hello Cindy, just fantastic photos
Honored. Thank you very much & cheers to you დ
What a cutie, Cindy! Merry Christmas to you!
Merry Christmas Terri and congrats on the move დ
These are fabulous shots! I particularly am fond of owls!! This was unknown to me! Thank you so much for sharing!
Peach
So happy to make the introduction and glad we both <3 owls! დ
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!
I did post this just for you Debbie! (Don’t tell anyone.) As you know, I <3 my friends who <3 owls დ
And I definitely do (heart) owls!!
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What a beautiful owl, highlighted by your wonderful photos and background. I enjoy your photos and posts so much Cindy. Thank you for making my life a little more beautiful. 🙌 💛
Awww…. Your thoughtful comment makes me so grateful to know you Brad. You deserve all the beauty there is my friend. Stay safe and well & Happy Holidays დ
Thank you Cindy. Holiday Hygge Hugs!
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I love owls! Merry Christmas, Cindy. <3
I <3 people who <3 owls! Merry Christmas my friend დ
Well captured!
Grazie mille დ
Burrowing Owls are one of my absolute favorite birds! 😍 I want to see one in person one day…thank you for this lovely holiday gift!
Reblogged this on Teresa Robeson 何顥思 and commented:
One of my all time favorite birds on one of my all time favorite blogs! Happy Sunday…
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
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.
I love that you are happy to see them. Your island is one of my most favorite places in the world. დ
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
It is embarrassing. We are always in synch Resa. Love to you & Happy Holidays დ
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Wow! Great photographs Cindy! I’ve never seen one in person.
I am so glad to introduce you & thank you დ
Such wonderful images Cindy…thank you! xxxxx
Thank you more Ally for your kind appreciation & cheers my friend დ
It’s always a pleasure dear friend. xxx
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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.
Awww, you touch my heart Marlene. Thank you for your kind thoughtfulness my friend & Merry Christmas დდ
You can see he’s not camera-shy and he certainly is a handsome little fellow showing off his fine plumage!
❤️carmen
Yes, he was ready for his close up Mr deMille! 😉
Nice shots!
Thank you! დ
Aww…Would love to play.☺
It was incredible to interact with this adorable little creature დ
❤
What a cute little guy. His eyes are so captivating!
Owl eyes are amazing eyes. They see us perfectly in the pitch dark. Merry Christmas Kathy დ
How big is that creature? It is really difficult to realize looking at pictures.
Oh, yes, I often forget to include perspective. Sorry. The are about 25 centimeters long. Happy & Healthy Christmas to you Alexander დ
Thank you, Cindy. Enjoy your Christmas holiday too! 🎄❤️
The bird is not really big but looks threatening 🙂.
Merry Christmas and Healthy & Happy New Year Alexander 🎅 ❄️ 🎁 🦌 ⛄ 👪 🎄
🎄🍾❤️
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.
Yes. And the momentum is so powerful, it seems impossible to stop. Wishing you Health & Happiness over The Holidays Brenda and into the New Year 🎅 ❄️ 🎁 🦌 ⛄ 👪 🎄
Likewise. I hope you’re able to continue to see your family. My bubble is very small, but luckily, I don’t live alone.
Living alone would be tough right now. I have the twins here three days a week so I am well occupied! Happy, Healthy New Year Brenda დ
Namaste.
დ
That’s a very pretty little owl. 🙂
I hope you have a happy Christmas and new year, Cindy.
Wishing you only the very best for Christmas & The New Year. Health & Happiness my friend 🎅 ❄️ 🎁 🦌 ⛄ 👪 🎄
What a beauty! And what a gorgeous view. Thank you for sharing your treasures. I wish you a merry everything! ♥.
Merry Everything & Health and Happiness Too! 🎅 ❄️ 🎁 🦌 ⛄ 👪 🎄
Thanks so much, Cindy! =) ♥.
<3
Stunning photos of a majestic bird. Wishing you a happy and peaceful Christmastime💙
Thank you very much. Happy & Healthy Christmas to you and your 🎅 ❄️ 🎁 🦌 ⛄ 👪 🎄
Happy New Year from North Wales, Cindy.
Happy & Healthy New Year back to you and yours my friend! 🤩🌃🎆✨🍾
Merry Christmas and happy holidays.<3
Visa versa 2U Laleh 🎅 ❄️ 🎁 🦌 ⛄ 👪 🎄
🙏❤️
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord Blog Magazine and commented:
It is the end of Christmas Day for us here in Ireland. And whilst like everyone celebrations have been curtailed, it has still been a lovely day.. and one final treat is the photography of Cindy Knoke with images of the beautiful burrowing owl..perfect.
Thank you. I am touched my your kindness. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year my dear friend. I look forward to sharing another year with you my friend 🎅 ❄️ 🎁 🦌 ⛄ 👪 🎄
A better year for all of us it seems with a few changes on the horizon…much love ♥
Hope Floats, and flies. I truly hope we spend the next year together. You are a joy in my life, and in and so many other peoples. Love to you in beautiful Ireland. Happy New year 🍾 <3
♥♥
Such a beautiful animal! Great photography!
Very pleased you enjoyed him! Thank you & Happy Holidays 🎅 ❄️ 🎁 🦌 ⛄ 👪 🎄
Wow, great photos. There is just something special about owls…
Yes. Owls are special, not only because they live while we sleep.
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
Love and friendship to you Michael. And hope to you and yours in the New Year 🕛 <3
Thank you very much, Cindy! I am honoured to wish you the same. All the best, be blessed with yours. Greetings to the paradise! Michael
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🙂
Buone Feste <3
🕛 <3
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
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
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
How fascinating! Crows are extremely smart. Happy & Healthy New Year to you Jules დდ
Wishing you a safe and joyous holiday season Cindy <3
Visa versa 2UX2 my dear friend. Happy New Year & Hope we spend 2021 together 🍾 <3
Amen Sistah! <3
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Hello, Cindy. Fine-looking bird. About how tall is it?
Ten inches, Most of it leg! 😉 Happy New Year my friend 🍾 <3
https://i.ytimg.com/an_webp/g-OF7KGyDis/mqdefault_6s.webp?du=3000&sqp=CO3Pnv8F&rs=AOn4CLCnU4CVkD51DOz-J_WP2STSIWq7Mw
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!
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
Cindy, thank you so much for the present of these beautiful photographs!
Reblogged this on charles french words reading and writing and commented:
Enjoy these beautiful photographs from Cindy Knoke!
You are the most wonderful friend Charles. Thank you. Happy & Healthy New Year to you and yours დდ
Wonderful clicks…
Most pleased you enjoyed them & thank you! დ
What great photos of this 🦉 owl!!
Thank you very much! დ
Thanks, Cindy. I love owls and this made my day. I wish you a happy 2021!
I <3 people who <3 owls! Thank you my friend & Healthy, Happy 2021 დ
So beautiful Cindy! I never knew there were these types of owls and obviously he wasn’t afraid of your loving spirit. Thanks for sharing! xo
Awww, thank you more for such a kind comment my friend and Healthy & Happy New Year to you! 👪🌃🥂🎇🕛
All of your photos are magnificent. Happy New Year and remain safe.
Thank you so much Tangie. Happy & Healthy New Year to you! 🤩🌃🎆✨🍾
liebe Cindy, das ist wieder sehr schön geworden, vielen Dank dafür, beste Grüße von mir zu dir, Klaus
Gesundheit und Glück für Sie, freundlicher Freund. Mein dieses Jahr sei gut zu dir. დ
Such a beautiful owl. Judging from the background in the photos, it looks like sunset. He was just waking up. 🙂
You are exactly right. He was groogy because night had not yet fallen. დ
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Que lindo 😍
Muchas gracias mi amiga დ
💖✨🙏
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Oh the look! Riveting eyes. Such cute ones. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you more for liking the adorbs Mary Ann დ