The Earth Has Eyes

These pint size balls of fluff are one of the funniest critters you’ll spend time with! The Burrowing Owl is unique in so many ways, tops is its living in “burrows,” underground. Whether modifying an abandoned burrow or digging its own, this diurnal owl can fly with ease yet prefers to walk and live under the earth. Their burrow complex can have many tunnels, a couple of entrances and placed is the oddest of places. That brings me to these goofballs.

We found about a dozen (hard to count when they play wack-a-mo) at a sports complex last week. Taking care not to disturb them the first time we ventured to their burrows, we were quickly rewarded by their presence. As the sun slowly sank in the west, it got later in the day. School was soon out and soccer practice was in the throws of starting up. Soon, green soccer balls were rolling on the field and up to the burrows. My first thought was, “There goes the shooting, the owls will go underground and that will be it.” I was so wrong, rather, the goofy owls seemed to be watching the balls roll within inches of their burrow and continued to watch as a munchkin ran over to kick it back unto the field! Seriously, they seem to be actively watching the soccer practice! They are a hoot to watch, even more to photograph and at this sports complex left me thinking the earth has eyes.