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
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Blue-footed booby, Galápagos Islands
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Lake Bled, Slovenia
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International Day of the Tropics
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Space is for everyone
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Virgin Islands National Park established
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Songkran—Thai New Year
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A splash by the sea
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Relationship status: It s complicated
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Plum blossoms in China
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Welcome to the Ring of Fire
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Islands of the Salish Sea
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Notre-Dame Cathedral reopens
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Adorably evolutionary sea sheep
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Happy Easter!
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Who doesn’t love a ‘Puppy’?
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Rice processing in Bangladesh
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Cinco de Mayo
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Sailing on thick ice
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A tale of almonds and bees
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International Day of Peace
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Megalong Valley, Blue Mountains National Park, Australia
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A bohemian feline
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Grandparents Day
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Ponta da Piedade rock formations in Portugal
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Rays on parade
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Nothing plain about it
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Who left the tub running?
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A plot was afoot
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The cycle begins anew
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An island for the birds