From Simon Dentremont

This Snowy Owl (in French, Harfang des neiges) was sitting up on a bank, waiting for the sun to set to go hunting. I positioned myself so the setting sun was behind it for a nice portrait, when it decided to leave its perch, luckily for me, in my direction. One of my favorite pics all year. I especially like the sunset highlights on those furry legs and kicked-up snow. Nova Scotia, Canada, Jan 2022.

From Andrew Kawa

Barred owl hunting frogs in a small pond.

From Dan Minicucci

Pushing the limits of what is possible for photography.

By it's very definition photography comes from the Greek words phõtós, meaning "light", and graphé, meaning "representation by means of lines' or "drawing".

In this case the light, barely any, is the bright open sky from the left and the nearly full moon on the right of the frame. The time stamp on this image is 5:03 pm a full 25 minutes after sunset!

Leaning completely on the capability of modern technology this image is possible. The exposure information is : 5000 f/4 2.5" Canon R5 Canon 60Omm f/4 lens. I did the math to compare this to the technology started my career with nearly 40 years ago.

The fastest film was 400 so converting that film speed to an equivalent exposure would result in an exposure of a whopping 32 seconds! In other words - a total impossibility to capture an owl preparing to exit its roost and hunt for the night.

So enjoy the fruits of technology and dedication to spend another night with my camera in the company of beautiful nature.

From Aaron Throness

My first eastern screech owl of the season was a sleepy one, but more than made up for its drowsiness with being just downright cute! The other day, it leapt out of its cavity just as the sun was setting and availed itself for a few photogenic portraits before darkness blanketed the woods. I hadn't seem him/her for almost half a year, so it was a great relief and just as great a thrill to hold a reunion!

From Dirk Helmert

From Lindy Pollard

It was a good day. I photographed my 2nd Barn Owl at Perkins Peninsula Park, here in Eugene, Oregon. It makes me really appreciate my Nikon P1000 for the Zoom feature. I first heard crows harassing it. Then it flew to a couple of different trees until it landed in a 3rd one where I was able to photograph it. I was lucky it was perched in the sunlight.

From Dan Minicucci

After a night hunting the return to the roost, trilling with big wide eyes.

From Rich Hoeg

Plumage Variations, Morphs, or Phases. All three terms describe feather color differences in birds, and this case specifically owls.

In the 1st image you are viewing a Great Horned Owl (GHO) adult and owlet. The parent has an "Arctic Phase' coloration to its feathers, which is very white. The photo was taken during June of 2023 in Alberta.

Arctic Phase Great Horned Owls tend to live well north in Canada where the white coloration helps with camouflage during the snowy season.

We now move south for a "Desert or Southwest Phase" GHO which I watched hunt in Arizona's Sonoran desert late yesterday afternoon. Its grayish white colors help blend in with the desert habitat.

Finally we move to NE Minnesota. This GHO has a more common "Boreal Forest Phase". This particular owl has nested near my home for the past six years. Its brownish gray coloration helps the bird blend in with the white pine in which it is perched.

From Wild Skies Raptor Center

Enjoy this photo dump of some of the patients we've seen this year. All of these owls have been released and we still have four in our care. This year, they've come to us for window and auto collisions, gunshots, fishing line, and electricity. Let's appreciate the beauty of these regal raptors and do our part in helping them stay wild.

From Luis Silva

Short eared owl. Asio flammeus. Figueira da Foz. Portugal. January 2024.

From Ali Xaidi

Hurricane Milton has created quite a predicament for the great horned and barred owls of Florida, forcing one of them to consider nesting in a stadium tower - a choice that seems a bit unconventional but necessary for their survival. While I would have preferred a more traditional nest for them, I am hopeful that they will overcome this challenge as they have in the past. Wishing these resilient RAPTORS all the best, especially after their previous nesting attempt failed due to a poor location choice.

This image was taken right after this pair mated and then the male flew far away from her across the river to this stadium this behavior explains preparations for the nesting site nearby on a tower.

From Simon Wardle

Still a little color out there if you work the angles. Eastern Screech Owl.

From Wild Action

'Bandit' the 15 day old Southern boobook owl and "Gandalf the 24 day old tawny frogmouth. Their growth rate is nothing short of magic!

From Niclas Ahlberg

A great grey owl hovering just before a dive to catch a vole. The low sun shines through the wings giving them glow. A magic meeting. I hope for more!

From Simon Dentremont

Even if this species is diurnal (meaning 'active during the day"), they often only come out late, which makes flight photography of them a challenge. This one decided to come out at the time of sundown, but on a cloudy day, so light was scarce. This was shot at f4, 8000. Thankfully my camera's autofocus performs well in low light.

Short-Eared Owl (In French, Hibou des marais), Sackville, New Brunswick, July 2021.

From Cody Julie Davis

I was able to capture a few shots during the last months of summer, excited for the arrival of late fall and the migrators!

From Pocono Wildlife Rehab

This is Oz. (Hebrew for Strength / courage) Oz is a long eared owl. This species of owls is considered threatened in Pennsylvania.

Long eared owls have such acute hearing they can catch prey in complete darkness. They also roost in large numbers in the winter which can make them easier to spot.

These owls have a vocalization that mimics a bark and their facial expression always appears surprised. They have long ear tufts that look like exclamation points but are actually an adaptation that helps them to blend into trees to camouflage. These tufts aren't ears at all. Owls' ears are located on the sides of their heads, behind their eyes.

Unfortunately Oz has a pretty significant fracture. He will be joining Spirit for a road trip to Radnor Veterinary Hospital today. if anyone can perform miracles it's Dr. Len Donato and his staff! Please send Oz lots of love and light.

Update: 0z made it through surgery 🥰
Hopefully the external fixator stays put.

From Gülay Sween

Tawny Owl with a very lovely home!

From Shaun Sackett

The Stretch in Flight! This was one of my best years with Great Grey Owls. Forever grateful to see such magnificent birds. Love the moments that are shared with great friends during these times.

From Simon Litten

You guys liked the early hours Shortie from the other day, so I thought you'd enjoy this too.

From Raptor Education Group Inc

Saw-whet Owlets Admitted in May, Foster Raised, All Grown-up and RELEASED!

In October, owlets of native species are full-grown. It is the natural time for them to become independent of their parents and begin their life in the wild. To prevent human imprinting, owlets admitted to Raptor Education Group Inc. (REGI) are raised by a foster parent of their species. Foster parents play a crucial role in developing the owlets, teaching them everything from vocalizations to social graces and the all-important "manners" essential for their acceptance into the wild population. They are vital and unsung heroes for the youngsters they rear and REGI staff. Staff are "hands off" young raptors, other than weighing the owlets every few weeks to ensure rapid growth. Staff involvement is limited to supplying food through a drop slot, which is not visible to the youngsters. The foster parent does the rest.

This year, REGI admitted two recently fledged Saw-whet owlets within days of each other in early May. The owlets were admitted with recoverable injuries but could not be returned to their nests. One owlet was from Waupaca, the other from Stevens Point. Weeks before, REGI admitted an adult female saw-whet owl with serious injuries when she was grabbed by a dog in Antigo while caring for her own family. The adult was recovering from her severe injuries; however, one wing was not 100%. She would need a longer time in rehabilitation to heal. She was depressed and quit eating on her own. We found the perfect solution for her and our young patients. We introduced her to the owlets; her change in demeanor was magical and immediate, making it clear to staff that she was in charge and that REG| staff was not needed in their lives.

Fast-forward five months.The owlets grew into healthy, well-adjusted wild owls. Their juvenile plumage transformed from the distinctive rust and deep brown to the adult plumage. Their foster mom did a perfect job raising them and teaching them everything they needed to know, even as she continued to recover from her encounter with the dog. We are hopeful for her continued recovery after a fulfilling summer raising babies! The young owls were released on Monday in a safe area monitored by a local birding club and owl experts. Thank you, everyone, from those who found and rescued the patients from challenging situations to our fantastic volunteer transporters and vital supporters who fund our work. Know we appreciate each one.

From Chuck Ramsey

I spotted this GHO in heavy foliage on a late afternoon walk through Cedar Creek Cemetery in Montrose Colorado. It was a challenge to get a clear shot of the eyes, but this image showed them off nicely.

From Jan Re

No info given on this, but I thought it was a pretty photo so I'm sharing it anyway!