Took a trip to the Circle B today mainly to see another Great Horned Owl nest. This one is probably the prettiest “nest” I have seen. They are nesting in the split of a large oak tree which is actually in one of the parking lots at the park. Their nest is surrounded by resurrection ferns. I also got a few decent shots of both Yellow-rumped and Palm Warblers.
Great Horned Owl mom and baby among the Resurrection ferns. When there is rain they are lush and green like those on the right. When it dries up they crinkle up more like those on the left.
Check out how well mom blends in.
Red-bellied Woodpecker that is nesting in the tree directly next to the Great Horned Owl nest. Go figure!
Mom and one baby. There is another one in there too but I didn’t get both together today.
A different angle. You can just see the baby peeking out under mom.
A little better lighting, but baby hiding.
You’ll never guess why this is called a Yellow-rumped Warbler. For some reason this one is missing it’s tail feathers.
Common Grackle gathering nesting material. When the light hits them just right the iridescence of the feathers is beautiful.
Anhinga AKA Snake bird AKA Water Turkey
Palm Warbler with a dragonfly nymph.
Great Blue Heron chick (around 2-3 months old) on nest.
Glossy Ibis in flight.
To say your photos are amazing is an understatement. Just finding these birds is a chore, but the birds seem to welcome you and say, “here comes Matt. Look pretty for him.” What makes your photos so interesting is a combination of the photos mixed in with your knowledge of the of the ferns and other plants they us for nesting material, as well as your knowledge about the birds and their habitat.
The owls blend in so well with the trees that it amazes me that you can spot them.
Granny
Such amazing and beautiful shots!