November 2025 Wildlife Photography Contest Intermediate Category Winner

The Frown Lowdown

I felt as though I truly got to know this pair of burrowing owls after observing them for several weeks. They lived in open farmland, so it took time—and careful viewing from a respectful distance—to allow them to grow accustomed to my presence.

The male was visible most mornings and gradually became comfortable with me. The female, however, never softened her intensity. They seemed to embody two completely different personalities.

This moment made me laugh. Just as the male took a brief break and began to yawn, the female suddenly popped up and fixed me with a heavy-browed stare—perfectly mirroring couples I know, where one partner relaxes while the other remains firmly on task.

Because of their small size and my commitment to keeping a respectful distance, I knew I would need to crop the image more than I typically prefer. I crouched low in a dry irrigation ditch, waiting patiently for something to unfold. In the end, that planning and patience paid off, resulting in this perfectly timed and humorous moment.