Burrowing Owl Nest

[imax]

Happened to come across these guys in a strip shopping center I was doing some work in last night. They burrowed and built their nest right in the middle of one of the islands between a pizza place and a bar. The bar closes at 4:00 AM and I was amazed at the way they kept dodging the traffic. Pictures taken at 4:30 AM did not come out as well as I had hoped, so I returned around 7:00 AM to find them anxiously waiting for me.

Total of 7 babies and the mom and dad live in this one nest. Difficult to get them all together.



http://imax.smugmug.com/photos/27048400-M.jpg





http://imax.smugmug.com/photos/27048393-M.jpg




Not sure if this was mom or dad. But they were keeping a close eye on what was going on.





http://imax.smugmug.com/photos/27048396-M.jpg





And they all kept a close eye on me.





http://imax.smugmug.com/photos/27051866-M.jpg





This guy was just too cute





http://imax.smugmug.com/photos/27051890-M.jpg




I got a little too close and mom stepped in to let me know!





http://imax.smugmug.com/photos/27055873-M.jpg





http://imax.smugmug.com/photos/27055892-M.jpg






Either dad or mom was keeping a close eye on everything from on top of a light pole.





http://imax.smugmug.com/photos/27055847-M.jpg





Anyone know how to tell the difference between the male and female?




Thanks for looking. Have a great 4th of July and be careful out there.



Joe B

[robscomputer]

Great images! I like the group shot of the owls with the parent in front. Over here they actually block off access to some areas because of the burrowing owls, funny to see them nesting right next to traffic.

Rob

[Skippy]

Happened to come across these guys in a strip shopping center I was doing some work in last night. They burrowed and built their nest right in the middle of one of the islands between a pizza place and a bar. The bar closes at 4:00 AM and I was amazed at the way they kept dodging the traffic. Pictures taken at 4:30 AM did not come out as well as I had hoped, so I returned around 7:00 AM to find them anxiously waiting for me.

Total of 7 babies and the mom and dad live in this one nest. Difficult to get them all together.
Thanks for looking. Have a great 4th of July and be careful out there.
Joe B

What a fantastic find.......and your right they are wayyyyyy too cute.
I love the eyes, the eyes just say it all.
Is it normal for them to produce such a large family???
That one shot of the little fellow leaning to the left is just gorgeous.
Thanks for sharing........ Skippy (Australia)

[bfjr]

Great find for sure :thumb

Good work

[MuskyDude]

Love the series!! What a bunch of cuties, and you got some good ones! :clap




AJ

[John Mueller]

WOW!:thumb
This is great.
Im lucky to see one owl:D