I visited two nesting sites today. The first spot that I have been waiting for babies finally had some!! The parent left the nest around dawn this morning and actually was off the nest for close to 3 hours which seemed weird with such small babies. One parent was watching close by and did fly over to the nest a few times. I waited until mom returned and settled in with babies to head to my second spot.
At the second spot where I posted a pic of one baby peering over the edge of the nesting platform last week, I arrived to find mom and two bigger babies hanging out together. Pretty good day to get to see 2 nesting sites and 4 babies and at least 2 of the parents.
Two pretty new baby Great Horned Owlets.
Parent Great Horned Owl checking in.
Parent Great Horned Owl and one of the owlets.
Big Yawn for the little guy.
Mama Great Horned Owl hopping on the nest.
Mama Great Horned Owl settled in with her owlets.
Mama and little Great Horned Owl at site #2
Mama and little Great Horned Owl at site #2
Two little Great Horned Owlets at site #2.
Great photos of parenting owls and their owlets. “Owlets” sounds like a 1960’s rock & roll group.
Whether owls or people, one can observe the tenderness that parents exudes when trying to keep their babies healthy and fed.
Good luck to the owls, both parents and babies. We need all the owls we can get.