This bright-eyed burrowing owl is emerging from its burrow just in time to enjoy the sunset here in Northern California. And yes, you read that right—it’s a burrowing owl. Unlike most owls, burrowing owls nest and roost underground, often in tunnels abandoned by ground squirrels or prairie dogs. It"s one of many traits that make the pint-sized species unique among owls. Burrowing owls live in grasslands, deserts, or other open dry areas with low vegetation. When threatened, they retreat to their burrows and are known to frighten off predators by mimicking the rattling and hissing sounds of a rattlesnake. And while most other owls sleep during the daytime, burrowing owls are often active in the daylight hours. It"s as if they didn"t finish proper owl training.
Here s looking at you
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
-
The Kelpies statues in Falkirk, Scotland
-
Negratín Reservoir, Granada, Spain
-
Hoh Rain Forest, Olympic National Park, Washington
-
A day of service for Dr. King
-
Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia
-
African buffalo, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
-
National Merry-Go-Round Day
-
World Migratory Bird Day
-
A medieval Moorish gem
-
Indigenous Peoples Day
-
When an ideal microclimate gives you lemons…
-
American bison, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
-
Womens History Month
-
Okefenokee Swamp
-
A house of grand scale(s)
-
Lake Bled, Slovenia
-
Celebrating 30 years of eye-opening images
-
A monastery in the mountain
-
Atop the roof of Africa
-
Just another day in paradise
-
Castle Square, Old Town, Warsaw, Poland
-
Big Bend National Park anniversary
-
Waimea Canyon and Waipoo Falls, Kauai, Hawaii
-
Acadia transformed
-
Spotted Lake emerges
-
Saskatchewan s spookier side
-
Here s looking at you
-
Cranborne Chase, England
-
Village of Oia in Santorini, Greece
-
Celebrating National Park Week, April 21-29
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

