From Antonius Lo
Winter family gathering. Short Eared Owl (Asio flammeus ). Southern Ontario, Canada. December 2024. OM-1 n M Zuiko 150-600 @ 600 f/8 SS 1/800 640. Taken under flurries hazy weather.
I’ve never seen that many owls together, at least not ones that look full grown. I wonder if hunting in the winter is easier as a group.
From what I can find, they don’t work together, and they will steal from each other, but if there’s enough food in an area, they’re a bit more sociable than normal for an owl.
Shorties are nomadic and able to fly very far, unlike many owls that stay within a few miles of where they’re born. So they can move to a very productive area where there’s enough food that sharing isn’t as big a deal as when they’re stuck in one place.
They also hunt the same food in the same places as other raptors, especially harriers, so there are lots of photos of them fighting harriers and other Shorties.
2 Shorties
Shorties vs Harrier
Interesting! Thanks for the info, and the pics.
Of course! I’m glad you liked them.
Take a load off Annie / Take a load for free / Take a load off Annie
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannd
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannd Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannd AaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanndYou put the load right on MEeeeeeee!
Missed opportunity: Take a load off Owly
D’oh!
