An owl looks up, possibly for predators.

A male owl continues his sentry duty after the female flushes (in the background).

The male, after flushing a short distance and bobbing at me like they do.

A mother owl stands her ground. Down in the burrow, her eggs have hatched a few days previously. If you look closely at her left leg, you can see the color-and-number band that was attached to her in one of the study's previous years. I'll never forget good ol' Green 12.

Given space, holes in the ground (from ground squirrels or badgers or coyotes), and an adequate prey base, the burrowing owl can thrive near people.