Shortear Owls

[MontanaDave]

Spent the last 2 evenings photographing short-eared owls.
They have been flying about 300 meters above the ground, then diving and fluttering.
Does anyone here know what that behavior is about? First photo is an example.

Sunset is at 8pm, and they have been most active 6:30-7:30pm
Last night I had 2 five-second incoming events that made photos easy.

 

[Jeff15]

A very good set ...

 

[denum]

Stunning images. Very nice detail. Beautiful.

 

[Digger...]

Does anyone here know what that behavior is about?

Google says there horny.

The short-eared owls you observed flying 300 meters high and then diving and fluttering are likely performing a courtship display, where males climb to high altitudes, circle, and then plummet towards the ground while clapping their wings.