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 |