Superb "Short-eared Owls"  

We had an unexpected Short-eared Owl experience recently. Three owls flew out from a tree line as we walked along a trail. One of them, above, is just landing in a nearby field. (The photo is heavily cropped.)

Short-eared Owls are well camouflaged in pasture. The shorter stubble in this field makes it "pop out" a bit.

Short-eared Owls are medium-sized owls with rounded heads. The "ears" mentioned in their name are difficult to see. This open country hunter is one of the world's most widely distributed owls and among the most frequently seen in daylight.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Short-eared_Owl/overview

We also found some pellets on the ground. When owls eat their prey, they swallow everything and later cough up the indigestible bones and fur.

I dissected the pellet and put the fur in one pile.

Then it was time to spread out the bones. I am guessing that the rodent bones are from a vole. The skull seemed a bit large for a field mouse. To the right of the nickel are 4 tiny bones, possibly a foot.

Close up of skull, upper and lower side. The yellow teeth are visible in the lower photo. Dissecting pellets allows scientists to learn more about owl diets.