Piercing Gaze in the Winter Thicket

With eyes as bright as lanterns, this short-eared owl sat motionless amid a tangle of winter branches, perfectly camouflaged until that electrifying stare found my lens. I waited quietly for the moment, Nikon Z6ii poised(800mm lens) and was rewarded with an intimate glimpse of one of Canada’s most charismatic raptors. From the subtle barring on its chest to those unmistakable yellow eyes, every detail tells a story of stealth and survival in open country. Please remember to respect their space.