Title: Landing room only: Owl ambushed by his playful brother in the Colorado desert
Post by: Donna on 24-Aug-10, 06:59:57 AM
This is the moment a playful owlet pounces on his baby brother to give him a friendly kiss on the cheek.
Spotting the perfect moment to surprise his unwitting sibling, the crafty six-week-old creature swooped in, talons outstretched, in the display of affection.
Caught completely unawares, his brother is almost bowled over backwards by the playful ambush.
The heartwarming antics of these two burrowing owls was captured by wildlife photographer Rob Palmer.
The 57-year-old was on the look out for burrowing owl dens when he came across these two, part of a brood of six.
As their name suggests, this species of owl nests underground in burrows that have been abandoned by animals like prairie dogs and badgers.
Mr Palmer, from Littleton, Colorado, USA, said: 'I spend a lot of time looking for burrowing owl dens, which are fairly common where ever you can find a prairie dog colony
'There were six owlets in this brood and they would play in the early morning.
'I managed to get about 30 feet from them to take the pictures and, after a while, they had no problem with me being there. They were very tolerant of my presence.
'These two are just having fun so neither got hurt.'
The burrowing owl grows to around 10 inches in length and has a wingspan of 21 inches.
The small, long-legged species is found is usually found in the dry, open areas of North and South America.
Unlike their nocturnal relatives, these owls tend to be at their most active during day-light hours.
They hunt for food from dusk to dawn, their diet consists mainly of insects and small rodents.
They are preyed on by badgers, coyotes and snakes as well as cats and dogs.
The burrowing owl lives for around nine years in the wild but can survive for more than ten in captivity.
Dropping in: The playful bird perched on his brother's head as wildlife photographer Rob Palmer took the amazing shots in the Colorado desert
He's behind you: In another frame the cheeky burrowing owl creeps up behind his sibling
Brotherly love: But in a tender moment that seems almost human, the owlet appears to nuzzle up to his sibling
Very cute pics.
Spotting the perfect moment to surprise his unwitting sibling, the crafty six-week-old creature swooped in, talons outstretched, in the display of affection.
Caught completely unawares, his brother is almost bowled over backwards by the playful ambush.
The heartwarming antics of these two burrowing owls was captured by wildlife photographer Rob Palmer.
The 57-year-old was on the look out for burrowing owl dens when he came across these two, part of a brood of six.
As their name suggests, this species of owl nests underground in burrows that have been abandoned by animals like prairie dogs and badgers.
Mr Palmer, from Littleton, Colorado, USA, said: 'I spend a lot of time looking for burrowing owl dens, which are fairly common where ever you can find a prairie dog colony
'There were six owlets in this brood and they would play in the early morning.
'I managed to get about 30 feet from them to take the pictures and, after a while, they had no problem with me being there. They were very tolerant of my presence.
'These two are just having fun so neither got hurt.'
The burrowing owl grows to around 10 inches in length and has a wingspan of 21 inches.
The small, long-legged species is found is usually found in the dry, open areas of North and South America.
Unlike their nocturnal relatives, these owls tend to be at their most active during day-light hours.
They hunt for food from dusk to dawn, their diet consists mainly of insects and small rodents.
They are preyed on by badgers, coyotes and snakes as well as cats and dogs.
The burrowing owl lives for around nine years in the wild but can survive for more than ten in captivity.
Dropping in: The playful bird perched on his brother's head as wildlife photographer Rob Palmer took the amazing shots in the Colorado desert
He's behind you: In another frame the cheeky burrowing owl creeps up behind his sibling
Brotherly love: But in a tender moment that seems almost human, the owlet appears to nuzzle up to his siblingVery cute pics.
Title: Re: Landing room only: Owl ambushed by his playful brother in the Colorado desert
Post by: Bobbie Ireland on 24-Aug-10, 07:06:54 AM
I would SO love to see a burrowing owl! Guess I better head for the desert first...
(... almost typed "borrowing" and "dessert" there... what an image!)
(... almost typed "borrowing" and "dessert" there... what an image!)
Title: Re: Landing room only: Owl ambushed by his playful brother in the Colorado desert
Post by: Donna on 24-Aug-10, 07:16:59 AM
I would SO love to see a burrowing owl! Guess I better head for the desert first...
(... almost typed "borrowing" and "dessert" there... what an image!)
(... almost typed "borrowing" and "dessert" there... what an image!)
:2funny: Bobbie. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Landing room only: Owl ambushed by his playful brother in the Colorado desert
Post by: Bobbie Ireland on 24-Aug-10, 07:56:38 AM
I got to laughing, as these little owl brothers reminded of another pair of best-beloveds in my life... two nephews, now grown to fine, strong young men, but who, as "fledglings", had their moments...
They were aged around 3 and 7 at the time. 7-year-old watches younger brother toddle around a room packed full of people. Toddler makes his way around a few times, while 7-year-old sits on a kitchen chair and observes the progress. I watch the 7-yr-old, and I can see that little mind going clickety-clickety-click. Finally, it happens. The 3-yr-old starts down the room again. Then, quick as a flash - Whoosh! - 7-yr-old sticks his leg out straight. And Whap! Down goes the little guy.
I had to leave the room...
They were aged around 3 and 7 at the time. 7-year-old watches younger brother toddle around a room packed full of people. Toddler makes his way around a few times, while 7-year-old sits on a kitchen chair and observes the progress. I watch the 7-yr-old, and I can see that little mind going clickety-clickety-click. Finally, it happens. The 3-yr-old starts down the room again. Then, quick as a flash - Whoosh! - 7-yr-old sticks his leg out straight. And Whap! Down goes the little guy.
I had to leave the room...
Title: Re: Landing room only: Owl ambushed by his playful brother in the Colorado desert
Post by: Carol P. on 24-Aug-10, 08:06:56 AM
Love these pictures of the young owls playing. Thanks for posting them Donna.
Title: Re: Landing room only: Owl ambushed by his playful brother in the Colorado desert
Post by: huddiecat on 24-Aug-10, 08:17:56 AM
Donna, those guys are just too cute! Now, I want to see them myself! Thanks for posting the story and pics.
Suzanne
Suzanne
Title: Re: Landing room only: Owl ambushed by his playful brother in the Colorado desert
Post by: MAK on 24-Aug-10, 09:22:23 AM
Those are about the sweetest owl pics I've ever seen! Good job Donna! :clap: :2thumbsup:
Title: Re: Landing room only: Owl ambushed by his playful brother in the Colorado desert
Post by: jeanne on 24-Aug-10, 12:06:50 PM
Great find, Donna! Thank you so much! How adorable!!!
Title: Re: Landing room only: Owl ambushed by his playful brother in the Colorado desert
Post by: Donna on 01-Sep-10, 06:18:51 AM
A peck on the cheek .... A photographer has captured the tender moment an Owlet flies in and gives its sibling a 'kiss' on the cheek. Spotting the perfect moment to surprise his unwitting sibling, the six-week-old crafty creature swooped in and gave him a friendly peck on the cheek
BROTHERLY love is not only a human concept, as these two owlets proved to a surprised photographer.
These are the same Owls as below.
Title: Re: Landing room only: Owl ambushed by his playful brother in the Colorado desert
Post by: Annette on 01-Sep-10, 06:23:53 AM
A peck on the cheek .... A photographer has captured the tender moment an Owlet flies in and gives its sibling a 'kiss' on the cheek. Spotting the perfect moment to surprise his unwitting sibling, the six-week-old crafty creature swooped in and gave him a friendly peck on the cheek
BROTHERLY love is not only a human concept, as these two owlets proved to a surprised photographer.
These are the same Owls as below.
Title: Re: Landing room only: Owl ambushed by his playful brother in the Colorado desert
Post by: MAK on 01-Sep-10, 08:40:38 AM
:clap: What an outstanding pic! :flash: