For me, spring is the season for Grouse photography. It’s nearly all I focus on for weeks and I admit that I’m truly addicted. Whether it’s hearing a Ruffed Grouse drum in the forest, seeing a dancing Sharp-tailed Grouse or a Sage Grouse displaying on a lek, or the low call of a Dusky Grouse on a chilly evening, there’s just nothing quite like it and it never gets old. And so, once again I found myself on the open grasslands of the western United States, looking for Grouse to photograph. But this year was different. Instead of being completely Grouse focused, I decided to divert some attention to search for another species that calls this same landscape home. Short Eared Owls, and I was determined.

Hiking across the vast terrain, I began to see signs of the Owls that I was looking for. A feather here, a pellet there and as I continued on I began to see signs of Grouse as well. This made staying focused on my quarry a challenge, but I knew the potential and so I deliberately forced the Grouse out of my mind and brought the Owls back instead. 

Part of searching for wildlife is engaging all of your senses into the endeavor. Not only was I looking for these medium-sized Owls, but I was listening for them too, and this is how I found them. Hiking across the wide open space that surrounded me, I heard a distinct “clapping” sound ahead and high above me. Looking up, way up, I saw a pair of Short Eared Owls engaged in a courtship display, the male repeatedly clapping his wings as he dove near the female. I walked along far below them, tracking their movements as we simultaneously crossed this seeming empty landscape together.

Spring in this part of the country can explode with vibrant colors. As we made our way along the endless sea of grass and rolling hills, the landscape suddenly exploded with little purple flowers. In one of those moments where everything seems to come together all at once, the amorous pair of Owls descended and flew among the purple terrain for just a brief moment. Taking picture after picture I couldn’t believe my good fortune, extremely grateful that I made the resolve to forget about my Grouse addiction for just a few short hours.