This image is part of my ongoing Owls of the High Desert project, which grew out of nearly three years spent following the same family of Great Horned Owls.

Over that time, I got to know their routines, their nesting area, and the way the adults cared for each new group of young. This photograph shows the mother perched above her fledglings, keeping watch while they rested below her.

What I like most about this image is how quiet it feels. There is no dramatic hunt or flight sequence, just a mother watching over her young. After spending so much time with this family, moments like this became just as meaningful to me as the more action-filled photographs.

A big part of this project has been learning to slow down, return to the same places, and let the owls go about their lives without forcing the photograph. Following this family for several years gave me the chance to photograph more than individual moments. It gave me the chance to document a small part of their story.

Shot on a Sony A7RV with 200-600 G OSS.