This Short-eared Owl has a bad left eye. It seems to be doing well. I witnessed it catching two voles. A Bald Eagle happened to steal one of them. When a N Harrier or other owl tries to get prey from them, there is usually a chase. When a bald Eagle wants their prey, they just leave it and get out of the way. It did defend its territory from harriers and other owls. I have many images with just the left eye showing. Too many, as the eye is what you look at and it's not there.
Thanks for looking.
Rex
Excellent shorty shots Rex. The eyes of the SEO are what make photos of them so striking (especially emphasized by all that mascara they use ). So I can relate to why you'd prefer this owl to fly left to right more than right to left
Great shots Rex. I would guess that these guys use their hearing as much as eyesight to pinpoint prey. I hope his vision loss doesn't cause him to miss an approaching eagle. Great job on the in-flight shots.
morris wrote:
Superb set Rex. I've seen so many raptors in rehab places where they don't let one go when it has one eye. Looks like they could be making a mistake.
Morris
Thank you, Morris. I don't know the story on this bird. I have close ups that show there is a eyeball in there, but doesn't look normal.
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Karl Witt wrote:
Makes me wonder at what point in life the eye was lost. Might have been very early and adapted? None the less your images are excellent
Karl
Thanks for commenting, Karl. It appeared to be doing the same things as the other shorties.
Bobg657 wrote:
Wonderful Rex, especially the first!
Bob
Thanks much, Bob.
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Fred Amico wrote:
Terrific images, Rex, and I'm heartened to think this owl is doing well in spite of his limited vision for catching prey.
Thank you, Fred. I think in the long run, it won't make it, but it is for now.
arbitrage wrote:
Excellent shorty shots Rex. The eyes of the SEO are what make photos of them so striking (especially emphasized by all that mascara they use ). So I can relate to why you'd prefer this owl to fly left to right more than right to left
louie champan wrote:
Terrific set of SEO shots Rex. One can only wonder what happened to the eye.
You're right, Louie. Thanks.
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cavuken wrote:
Great shots Rex. I would guess that these guys use their hearing as much as eyesight to pinpoint prey. I hope his vision loss doesn't cause him to miss an approaching eagle. Great job on the in-flight shots.
Thank you, Ken.
). So I can relate to why you'd prefer this owl to fly left to right more than right to left
