Owl glare - Adriano Ebenriter - Wildlife Photographer of the Year2008

2008: Animal Portraits - Specially Commended

Adriano Ebenriter Enlarge image Owl glare

Adriano Ebenriter (Brazil)

Owl glare

'One morning on the island of Florianópolis, southern Brazil, I set off towards the sand dunes to look for owls. By walking backwards towards this pair guarding their burrow, I got quite close. I found an opening in the grass, which allowed me to frame one of them against the blue sky. Then I complied with the owl's glaring demand to get off its patch, straightaway.' True to its name, the burrowing owl makes its home underground. Although it can dig its own burrows, it often uses the abandoned homes of small mammals, which it then lines with mammal dung. This helps disguise the nest from predators, and also provides a meal by attracting dung beetles - one of its favourite snacks.

Nikon D70s + 80-200mm f2.8 lens at 200mm; 1/3200 sec at f5.6; ISO 400.

This photograph is available to buy as a print.