They’ve come back, the Great Horned Owl couple. Their perennial arrival to nest is as predictable as the grass turning green and the leaves bursting out from the bare branches. They even check into the same abode.
After a long wait since April, I finally got to see the new addition last week. This time, an only child.
Here’s baby peeking out to feast on the sights and sounds of spring:
A close-up of this spring baby:
Mom or Dad is always watching close by, here basking in the evening sun:
Yesterday, it’s baby’s day out. Where’s Waldo?
Look up, there he is, at the top of the tree trunk:
Trying out wings:
and showing off a downy coat:
As always, Mom is nearby, ever watchful:
Posing for all the nature paparazzi below, here it is, the feat of turning your head 180º:
Enjoy while you can, soon you’ll be an empty nester, too soon.
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How delightful! After the babies are sighted, approximately how long before they fly the nest?
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A few weeks. The whole family will disappear usually by end of June. It’s likely that Jr. will stay with Mom and Dad for a while longer somewhere else. But for sure, it’s only the parents that come back to nest year after year.
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So precious, Arti! I found myself cooing and smiling ever so much. Just love babies. Beautiful pictures! Thank you! C-Marie
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This post just made me so happy!!♥️
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Marvelous images, each and every one! Where’s Waldo indeed! I’d say you have fine eyes to have found him! So glad they are bad.
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I can’t take credit for finding Waldo. There were half a dozen photographers gathered there under the tree trunk. 🙂
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The rituals of spring! It’s funny –just as you look forward to the owls returning, I look forward to your posts about them. I just learned this year that there’s a great horned owl who nests every year in a planter at the Lady Bird Johnson wildflower center in Austin. The nest is well protected, but low enough that people can watch her peering back at them over the edge of the planter. These encounters are such fun, and strangely touching. I so much enjoyed this!
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Know what, the Great Horned Owl is our provincial bird. Here’s a fact page that you may find interesting. 🙂
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Omg Arti this is adorable! Snags (dead trees) provide very important nesting habitat for many species. We had a crabapple tree in our yard die and pruned some of the dead branches off but left most of the trunk, because Northern Flickers thought it a wonderful condo to raise their babies!
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This sure is one Snag that birders know well. The Great Horned Owl couple come back annually to nest. We have lots of Northern Flickers too. I suppose we have similar environs? But for sure I’m way more north than you are.
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Oh my…so glad they come back and that you go back with your camera. Amazing shots. I enjoyed every one. I still want to see an owl in the wild…
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