The Great Horned Owl has ear-like tufts and is an impressive hunter. It is the owl most common in story books and movies. If you like photographing wildlife, or even just seeing them in their natural habitats, then an owl is probably on your bucket list.
You might be lucky enough to stumble upon one, especially at dusk or dawn, but the easiest way to find an owl to find out where one is living and check it out. This one lives in the trees near Fielding Garr Ranch on Antelope Island. There aren’t a lot of trees on the island, but there is a natural spring there by the ranch so there is a cluster of trees. If you look carefully, you are likely to find at least one of the owls that live there. As you can see, he was fast asleep when I was there.
The next time I went I got even better photos.
I saw a pair of Great Horned Owls in another location.
Western Screech Owl and Saw-Whet Owl
I still have a lot to learn and am relatively new to wildlife photography, but am enjoying it. I got some photos of a Western Screech Owl and a Saw-Whet Owl, who wouldn’t look down.
Look at how great the screech owl is camouflaged.
Antelope Island also has pronghorn antelope, mule deer, coyotes, porcupines, and bison. Read more here.
Stats: Distance – 0-0.3 mile round trip
Approximate hiking time – 5-15 minutes
Elevation gain – 5 feet
Difficulty – Easy/Moderate/Difficult
Bathrooms – Yes
Seasons to hike – Year-round
Permits needed – $15 day pass per vehicle or Utah State Parks Pass (Plus $2 Causeway fee)
Pets allowed – Yes
