Arizona Burrowing Owls

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8"x19" - 3D metallic desert trash with small acrylic painting

"Scooter" is a resident of a burrowing owl shelter near my home. The massive amount of new construction in the West Valley often destroys their habitats. They have adapted quite easily to other man-made shelters and can often been found in congested areas, down an alley or near a canal or water retention area. There are several relocation projects in the Phoenix valley, where these beautiful daylight hunting owls are found. Scooter was a bit wary of me showing up to photograph and observe him. He took the "ready to fly" posture with me for a bit. Then became comfortable with me and stood as a lookout as Burrowing Owls often do.

18"x20" - 3D metallic desert trash with small acrylic painting

"Native" represents the species of Arizona Burrowing Owls that are native to the Phoenix metro valley and have actually learned to live within the cities, utilizing drainage ditches and manmade holes. Unfortunately, many are being destroyed because of rodent poison, to the point of now being classified as an endangered species.  In years past they would work alongside field workers and eat the rodents that would eat crops. They were respected and thrived among people. Now, simply finding other methods of controlling pests would make a huge difference in the survival rate of these cute daytime hunters.