Saturday Snapshot May 9: Spring’s New Babies

Spring ushers in buds and blooms, and in my neck of the woods, Spring brings new babies. For the past few years, Mama and Papa welcome two new owlets into their Great Horned Owl family every Spring.

The next time you wander into the woods, if you see two furry balls high on a tree, don’t pass them by.

two furry balls

Those furry balls could turn into two pairs of big eyes, inviting you to stay awhile. Fine, take some pictures. We love to pose.

2 Paris of Big Eyes

They look cuddly as a teddy bear.

Fluffy down

I can only imagine how those fluffy down feel to the touch. They’re nature’s babies; I can only admire from afar.

Cuddly as a teddy bear

And what are they thinking, looking at us humans gathering under the tree?

Oh, humans? That’s what they are? Strange, with such huge and long noses. No? Telephoto lenses? They sure are curious and interesting creatures. Alright, let me give them a high five. That’ll make their day.

Hi Five

Ok… let me show off a little: here’s a wing:

Wing

and two:

2 Wings

Don’t think I’m just a cute li’l baby. I’m learning to be formidable:

Formidable

Mama knows. She’s always watching nearby. She may have her eyes closed, but she’s alert and watching alright:

Mama

Happy Mother’s Day, Mama!

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PHOTOS TAKEN BY ARTI OF RIPPLE EFFECTS

DO NOT COPY OR REBLOG

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Published by

Arti

If she’s not birding by the Pond, Arti’s likely watching a movie, reading, or writing a review. Creator of Ripple Effects, bylines in Asian American Press, Vague Visages, Curator Magazine.

28 thoughts on “Saturday Snapshot May 9: Spring’s New Babies”

  3. What an absolutely fabulous series, Arti. You’ve captured so many aspects of these appealing little creatures — and their mama, too.

    They’re such fun to watch as they begin trying their wings. I got to watch osprey babies one year, perched at the edge of the nest, flapping and flapping, but too hesitant for days to take off. I read somewhere that the parents know how to cope with that situation. They stop bringing food to their babies. When lunch doesn’t show up on time, hunger can overcome hesitancy!

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    1. Linda,

      I’ve got many more photos… actually, the Owl Family is not so hard to photograph because they stay still, steady and stoic. The Great Blue Herons are quite stationary too, but they are so camera shy, hard to get too close. The owls sit on the branch and not move for hours. I’ve never seen osprey babies. Maybe you’d post some pics some day. 😉

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  4. Unbelievably fabulous! They’re showing off! And I loved your narrative. The shots are excellent — what sweet, soft faces! And I love mom’s constant watching. That wing span looked pretty significant, even for a baby. What a treasure to get these shots!

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    1. Jeanie,

      You know, the owls are much easier to take photos of than other birds because they stay still and not afraid of us humans, unlike the Herons and other birds. They were high up so it’s a matter of using a telephoto lens and cropping. There are always nature paparazzi parking their tripods and long lenses right nearby the tree. Quite a party there.

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    1. Ellen,

      They are cute yes, but will soon fly away when fully fledged. A mystery as to where they go. Every Spring it’s like this. The parents will literally become empty nesters. 😉

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    1. Denise,

      Thanks. I’m not sentimental about animals either. Actually they are not just cute, as the last few photos show, they can be formidable. I wouldn’t want to mess with them. 😉

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