ML73024821
Contributor
Date
Location
- Age
- Not specified
- Sex
- Not specified
Media notes
Picture from spotting scope. Note vole in talons.
Observation details
While scouting for elk, Becca and I were crossing a small meadow/clearing when I spooked the owl off the ground from about 3ft away near the forest edge (uphill/eastern part of clearing). Owl flew into the woods methodically, and I watched it land about 75ft away. Thinking it was a grouse because of how it had spooked from such a short distance. Was able to locate it in a tree, got an initial look with bino’s and ID as an owl, got a couple initial pictures. Owl flew again, and I watched it the best I could, lost it, but had an idea of where it landed. Searched for 5 min, and by pure luck found it again, perched on a branch of a mature sub-alpine fir, with filtered lighting on it for good pictures. We set up the spotting scope as well as got pictures with a zoom lens on a camera. Upon closer inspection we ID’d as boreal owl, and noticed it was holding a vole in its talons. It likely had just made a kill shortly before I spooked it, and due to the weight was sluggish in flying. Watched for 25+ min, and then retreated. See Pictures.
Technical information
- Dimensions
- 658 pixels x 658 pixels
- Original file size
- 166.45 KB