From Emily Marvel

This image features a burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) photographed in the Florida Everglades, a region where open ground and sandy soils provide ideal conditions for this unique species. Unlike most owls that nest in trees, burrowing owls live below ground and depend on burrows for protection and raising their young.

Burrowing owls are unusual among owls because they are frequently active during the day, particularly in the morning and late afternoon. Their keen eyesight helps them detect insects, small mammals, and reptiles, while their long legs allow them to run efficiently across open terrain.

Burrowing Owls typically have bright yellow irises, but a small percentage of owls found in Florida have dark brown or spangled yellow and brown irises which could be the result of a recessive gene being expressed. In Florida, burrowing owls are listed as a species of special concern, largely due to ongoing habitat loss. Seeing one in its natural environment serves as a reminder of the importance of conserving the open landscapes of the Everglades that support this and many other native species.