A Sage-Grouse and Short-eared Owls! by Alex Lamoreaux

On our drive back from McCall this past Monday, Anna and I swung past Midvale to check out some Greater Sage-Grouse leks. It was late in the afternoon but we were hoping maybe a few grouse would be hanging out near the lek, especially since this species would be a lifer for us. Of course, there were no grouse to be seen in the area of the lek, so we decided to go over to nearby Crane Creek Reservoir and see what was around. The lake was pretty empty, so we took the ‘primitive road’ around the south side of the lake. About at the halfway point of this road, we came up over a little hill and spotted a female Greater Sage-Grouse sitting in the road, not at all worried about how close we were in our car. Anna and I snapped off a few pictures as the grouse slowing made her way into the sage brush and out view. About as soon as she wasnt visible anymore, I spotted a Short-eared Owl about 300 meters farther away. Soon another Short-eared Owl joined the first and they began hunting over the grassy fields and the sage brush. Based on their coloration, we could tell it was a male and female. During the hour we watched the birds, the male made two very close passes over Anna and I, and we were able to get some really cool shots. I have seen many Short-eared Owls, but almost every time I have seen them, it has been too dark for photos….not on this day though, it was still very bright out and the sun was in a perfect position to light these beautiful birds up as they flew nearby.