Burrowing Owls have been a welcome surprise during my camping stay at Black Mesa State Park in Oklahoma. I’ve seen enough that it feels like each prairie dog town in the area has several. That’s been good to see.
Burrowing Owls and Prairie Dog Towns
The prairie dog towns around Black Mesa have given me plenty of chances to see these small owls. Their connection to those towns helps explain why I keep finding them there.
According to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, the species occurs most often in the Panhandle. These owls favor shortgrass prairie and depend on vacant mammal burrows, including holes dug by black-tailed prairie dogs.
The burrows provide places to nest and shelter. Short vegetation also helps the owls see approaching ground predators. Open prairie with low grass and available burrows suits their life on the ground.
In the wider photograph, one owl sits low behind the edge of a dirt mound. Its yellow eyes stand out, but much of its body disappears behind the soil.
Photographing Owls at Ground Level
I like the contrast between that low pose and the standing owls in my other photographs. When an owl stands upright, I get a clear view of its long legs and spotted feathers.
The bare earth and pale grass keep the backgrounds simple. Brown and white feathers blend with those colors, while the yellow eyes draw my attention.
The wider view includes more of the mound and surrounding ground. I like having that habitat view alongside the closer portraits because the burrow setting matters to this bird’s story.
A Welcome Sight During My Black Mesa Stay
Seeing several owls has been one of the pleasures of camping here. Still, my sightings don’t tell me whether their population is increasing. The wildlife department identifies habitat loss and fragmentation as threats to the species.
I’ve also shared A Burrowing Owl at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. During this Black Mesa stay, I’ve enjoyed having more chances to watch and photograph these prairie owls.