Visitors of the Grasslands: Short-Eared Owls Notebook

Each winter, the enchanting Short-Eared Owls journey south from the Arctic tundra to the Shawangunk Grasslands in New York’s Hudson Valley — one of the region’s most important wintering sites for grassland raptors. These beautiful owls migrate in search of open fields and mild conditions, where they can hunt small mammals that thrive in the tall winter grasses. Recognizable by their golden eyes, softly streaked plumage, and graceful, low flight at dusk, Short-Eared Owls embody both mystery and motion. Their presence transforms the quiet winter landscape into a scene of wild beauty and life — a reminder of nature’s resilience and seasonal rhythms. This exclusive product by Debbie Quick of Debs Creative Images celebrates these migratory owls in their winter home among the wide-open fields of the Hudson Valley. This photograph captures their elegance and power revealing their captivating gaze.