22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
The Whole Clan of Burrowing Owls

Discovered a pair of burrowing owls out on the Colorado prairie. Once a week I would go to confirm activity at their burrow. When the owlets appeared outside I visited every other day. Some days there would be one, two or three standing around, popping in and out of their underground home. The shots were okay, but not exactly keepers. Then early one morning as we drove by ALL of them had just come outside, including mom. "I've hit the mother lode!" Grabbing the 800 mm lens, I captured a series of photos from the county road. That was my last visit—until, hopefully next year.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2024
Date Uploaded: 10.2024
Photo Location: Hanover, Colorado, United States of America
Copyright: © Jamie Johnston