Athene cunicularia
As I drove by this area on Antelope Island I saw a strange-shaped rock in the snow and almost kept going but my
subconscious mind said "wait!" I slammed on the brakes, backed up and there in the middle of the open area
was what I just knew was a burrowing owl. You can see the tracks behind it where the Bison or Pronghorns
trekked by. It was a cold December and it always amazes me when I find a Burrowing Owl. For such a small
owl, they are hearty little devils. Anytime you pull over on Antelope Island someone else will pull over to
see what you are looking at and they usually drive away because they can't see a Bison or a Pronghorn. Most
of the time, these owls are overlooked but they are a treat for me to find, especially in the winter. Check out
this other Burrowing Owl that spent the winter one year on the island. © Carol Davis, 1-3-2010
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