Two burrowing owlets seen at the entrance to their burrow in Davie, Florida. These petite raptors are about the size of a soda can and are one of the few owl species that nest and roost in burrows, often digging them or taking over abandoned ones from other animals. Photo: Ronen Tivony
Capturing the Charm: Photographing Florida’s Burrowing Owlets
Florida’s burrowing owls offer wildlife photographers some of the most enchanting subjects in the bird world – and nothing beats photographing their adorable owlets during nesting season. These tiny, soda can-sized raptors provide unique opportunities that combine excellent photography with important conservation awareness.
Why Burrowing Owlets Make Perfect Photo Subjects
Unlike most owl species that hide away during daylight hours, burrowing owls are active throughout the day, making them ideal for photography. Their owlets are particularly captivating subjects because they display curious, almost comical behaviors that translate beautifully into memorable images.
These petite raptors stand about nine inches tall with disproportionately long legs and striking yellow eyes. What makes them special isn’t just their size – it’s their ground-dwelling lifestyle that offers unique low-angle portrait opportunities you simply can’t get with tree-nesting owls.
Lens Selection
A telephoto lens is absolutely essential – think 300mm minimum, with 400-600mm being ideal. This allows you to maintain respectful distances while still capturing intimate portraits. The compression effect of long lenses also helps isolate your subjects against clean backgrounds.
Focus on the Eyes
The eyes are everything in owl photography. These birds have remarkably expressive yellow eyes that create instant emotional connections with viewers. Always ensure the eyes are tack sharp, even if other parts of the image might be slightly soft.
Ready to Photograph Florida’s Burrowing Owls?
If you’re inspired to capture these remarkable birds yourself, consider joining a guided photography workshop with an experienced professional. Learning proper techniques and ethical practices from an expert can dramatically improve your results while ensuring you photograph wildlife responsibly.
Take your burrowing owl photography to the next level with hands-on instruction from award-winning wildlife photojournalist Ronen Tivony. His specialized workshops offer intimate encounters with these charismatic birds, just one hour from Miami. You’ll learn advanced techniques for capturing expression, behavior, and motion while practicing ethical wildlife photography that respects these threatened species.
Whether you’re a beginner eager to learn the fundamentals or an experienced photographer looking to refine your skills, expert guidance can help you create stunning images while contributing to conservation awareness.
Stay tuned for more “Photos of the Day” as we continue to spotlight wildlife moments from the field.