Short-eared and Long-eared Owl Mecca! 12/26/2023

The end of 2023 was filled with excursions to photograph Short-eared Owls in the late afternoon sun. These beautiful owls are my absolute favorite and this year seems to be a boom year for them (but a bust for Snowy Owls!) as I have been seeing up to six at a time scouting the fields in Southeastern MA. There have been so many that territorial fights are occurring high up. Here are a few of my favorite photos although most have been taken at quite a distance.

On the last day of 2023, I traveled with a birding friend to the North Shore in hopes of spotting a Long-eared Owl. I was 0/3 for seeing this little beauty that is quite secretive and great at camouflage and we don't see too many in MA. Finally, it was spotted, and I was able to catch a photo of its eyes. I was thrilled and didn't care about quality, just the experience.