23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
Short-eared Owl at Sunset

I was parked on a dirt road taking a photo of a harrier when this owl got up, barked at the harrier, and flew straight at me for an 1/8 of a mile. Then it perched on the post in the setting sun. It was very cold out, like, 5 degrees farenheit type cold. It is one of my favorite wildlife encounters ever.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 02.2025
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: West Branch, Iowa, United States of America
Camera: Canon EOS R10
Copyright: © Justin Cox