Cape Coral’s Burrowing Owls
This past week I visited Cape Coral a couple of times with the objective of photographing Burrowing Owl owlets. I searched around the Pelican Park baseball fields and around the library. I found lots of active burrows, but struck out finding any owlets outside their burrows. I saw a few fluffy heads peering out of the burrows, so they are starting to emerge. Indeed, I have seen photos from other photographers who were successful in finding owlets fully emerged from their burrows so it does seem to be a good time to head to Cape Coral. But for me, I’m afraid I missed them. Still, it was nice to see the adults standing sentinel outside the burrows.
Burrowing Owl. A Florida Burrowing Owl standing guard outside its burrow at the baseball fields. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 lens at f/6.3, 1/1250 sec, ISO 450.
Burrowing Owl. Another portrait of a Florida Burrowing Owl. This one was near the library. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 lens at f/6.3, 1/1250 sec, ISO 1100.
The first two images were taken on the 800mm f/6.3 lens. On a separate visit, I chose to use the 180-600mm f/5.6 to 6.3 lens just for a change of pace.
Florida Burrowing Owl. This little owl was snacking on a dead snake left outside of its burrow. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 lens at 450mm, f/6.3, 1/1250 sec, ISO 500.
Burrowing Owls. The owls keep a close watch on everything that is near their burrows, especially watchful for predators flying overhead. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 lens at 450mm, f/6.3, 1/1250 sec, ISO 500.
Life update leading to site changes
In March I accepted a new job which will require me to move from Florida to Lexington, Kentucky. Consequently, I’ll be making changes to this website to reflect a new focus on bird photography in Kentucky and the surrounding area. Between now and then I have one more trip to Fort DeSoto scheduled. It will be in mid-April and I am hopeful the warblers and other migrants will be coming through the area. We’ll see!
Happy birding!
