Went back to the park I visited Thursday evening. This time I was able to see the baby owls through the hole in their tree. They are probably in the 2 week old range. It’s going to get tight in there quick especially as they test those wings. I saw one parent came in but they didn’t go to the nest. Afterward I headed to another nearby park. The first thing I spotted worth stopping for, another Barred Own. This one was nicely framed among the Spanish moss. Also saw a bunch of gators and got some nice shots of a Glossy Ibis.

Great Blue Heron displaying at sunrise.

Parent Barred Owl. Came in with something in talons which it ate, but I couldn’t figure out what it was.

Baby Barred Owl peeking out of its nest cavity inside a dead palm tree.

There’s the second face peeking out too.

Somebody is a sleepy head.

Park #2, Barred Owl adult #2. Snoozing among the Spanish moss.

Gator closeup with reflection.

Even closer. FYI this is a tight crop from above image. My camera wouldn’t even focus if I got this close.

I liked the flowering plant in the foreground. For the picture I loved the 3 different layers of plants. The white flowering plant is a Bigflower Pawpaw (Asimina obovata), often called Flag-pawpaw, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to central and northern Florida. Growing 6–10 feet tall, it features large white flowers and produces large, edible green, custard-like fruit. These rare plants prefer sandy, dry habitats and serve as host plants for zebra swallowtail butterflies. 

Owl still in same spot but woke up and stretching a bit.

Little gator covered in duckweed.

Bald Eagle cruising overhead.

Glossy Ibis on a log.

Red-shouldered Hawk surveying the swamp.

Oakleaf Fleabane