Short-Eared Owl With a Vole Feb. 2025

These are not the best images, but at least I got to see this. If I remember right I was standing in front of the viewing platform when this shorty caught a vole then was immediately chased by a harrier hawk. The short-eared owl flew circles around the platform with the vole then flew off as another harrier hawk joined the pursuit.

Short-Eared Owl With a Vole Feb. 2025

As the owl flew off it flew in circles higher and higher until you could not see it anymore. I think the harriers gave up, but I could be wrong.

Short-Eared Owl With Vole Feb. 2025

It all happened so fast it was hard to get focused pictures when you were trying to keep the owl in frame so close and work around the other people standing close to you in the area. As I said, I am just happy to have seen this. There have been no sightings in over a week. We are hoping they left early this year and it is not due to the avian flu. One young eagle south of here along the river recently had it. Have a great week!