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:
-
Where is this wintry road?
-
Okavango Delta, Botswana
-
New York City skyline
-
Protect your neck
-
Tolkien Reading Day
-
World Philosophy Day
-
Freeloaders of the avian world
-
Spotted eagle rays in the Galápagos Islands
-
Methow Valley, North Cascades, Washington
-
Welcome to the pack
-
Cheetah in Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania
-
First day of autumn
-
It s Teacher Appreciation Week
-
Celebrating Madagascar on its Independence Day
-
A state-of-the-art lookout on the Rock of Gibraltar
-
Square Tower House in Mesa Verde National Park
-
Autumn comes to the Porcupines
-
Up in the Highlands
-
Celebrating the first day of spring
-
From pirate port to nature preserve
-
Winter solstice
-
A look at Uranus, seventh planet from the sun
-
Przewalskis horses, Hustai National Park, Mongolia
-
Rock of ages
-
Lake Tyrrell, Victoria, Australia
-
Winter solstice
-
The Cordillera de la Sal in the Cordillera Domeyko Range of Chile
-
A crane for good luck in today’s big game
-
Petrified Forest National Park
-
Cool water in the Quinault
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

