Short eared owl

In the marsh, Boundary Bay.

 

This female caught a vole, and here was protecting it from marauding harriers. Actually, my presence probably kept the hawks at a more respectful distance. The harriers seem to steal most of the owls' catches. Their tactic generally is to fly at the owl on the ground, force it airborne and then rip the prey from its talons or at least scare the short eared into dropping its catch.

Done