One of the few owls you’ll see active during the day, the Short-Eared Owl was a beautiful sight in the sky as it silently flew over farm fields and vacant land on the eastern portion of Washtenaw County.
I took this photo of the owl last week, before five inches of snow covered southeastern Michigan. Love how the light shines through his wings!
Over the past three months, I’ve become more acquainted with the habits of the Short-eared Owl. I try to visit the area where it can be found at least once a week.
At dusk, or a couple hours before dusk, the owl alternates flying low over the fields, almost touching the tops of the winter weeds, then backtracks over areas it has just hunted, and abruptly flies upward.
I’ve seen it perched on top of a telephone pole, in small trees, and sitting in the middle of a harvested corn field. What a surprise to see it staring across the field!
Seeing the owl sitting calmly in the field reminded me that I needed to look down as well as up for this beautiful bird!
I don’t think I have ever seen an owl in flight.
For some reason, owls always seem to somewhat creep me out or spook me, or something…
But it is cool seeing your photo of this one in flight!
Paul,
It’s the only owl I’ve ever seen in flight. The Short-eared Owl has a beautiful flight as it glides over the fields.