A beautiful Saturday morning and I was eager to get to the
Great Horned Owl's nest to see how the youngsters were progressing. When I arrived at the
owl's nest tree, I was told by the security guard that the bigger youngster had
fledged a few days previous and the smaller one had been branching quite a bit. There
was excitement in the air. Quite a few birders were also checking to see if the
younger owlet was going to fledge today! Who could have known how magical a day it was going to be!
The smaller youngster had branched to the outer branches of the nest tree. Early morning sunlight shines on the little youngster. He looks
down on his admiring onlookers.
Close-up of the deadly talons.
"Big sister" (the larger one of the youngsters) is in the far south palm tree. Looking up to
take a shot was really difficult. I'm looking east, straight into the sun. Many of the daily observers have given this larger one the nickname "Big sister".
Looking up into the palm nearer to the nest tree,
I spot mom staring back at me. Dad is on the north side of this palm and he is
sound asleep.
Close-up of mom Great Horned Owl.
Taking a look at mom's talons. It appears one of her
talons has been broken.
Last look at mom.
Under-view.
Leaving the owl area, I decided to check the rest of
the park for other bird subjects. Walking west from the nest tree, I spotted a
Black-throated Gray Warbler. This appears to be a female with a white throat.
Side view of the Black-throated Gray Warbler,
Setophaga nigrescens, which measures 5 inches long with a
wingspan of 7.75 inches.
An adult male will have a black throat.
Back view.
Look at her face.
She is looking for insects.
The primary feathers look brownish but I think it's
because it is so new and the sun is shining so brightly.
A good look at the front throat and neck area.
She spots a bug and off she goes.
I spot a Vireo. I believe he is a Warbling
Vireo. Vireo gibvus measures 5.5 inches long with a
wingspan of 8.5 inches.
A last look at the Warbling Vireo. Time to go home for now
and do some gardening. I am going to come back later in the evening at about
sunset to see if I can see some movement of the owls.
It's about an hour from sunset. I see that the smaller
youngster which I will call "little brother", is still asleep.
Soon the handful of photographers and birders are
gathering around the west side of the nest tree. Little brother is waking up!
He jumps to another branch.The sun is going down quickly.
What a cutie!
Big sister has been in the big palm tree that is about
20 feet from the nest tree. She has been there sleeping all day. Now she is also
awake.
Climbing around and up the palm tree.
Using her wings to balance.
She keeps climbing higher onto the top fronds of the
palm tree.
Dark in the shade of the palms.
Little brother is looking at mom. He is getting
active.
Wow! This was unexpected... we have a fledge! The
smaller of the owl youngsters has just fledged! He is flying to the palm tree
where his big sister is perched.
Legs dangling, big pumping movement of his wings and he
slowly makes his way to the big palm tree
This is a magical moment. It is a once in a lifetime
event for many birders and I am getting to witness it! Some birders can spend a lifetime and never
see this moment in an owl's life. Fledge is when a youngster makes his first flight off the nest tree! A day of freedom! A
magic moment!
Keep flapping those big wings little
brother!
Almost there!
He keeps flying and an old palm trunk gets in my way of the flight.
I move a few feet to find the little guy landing on a palm branch. What a wonderful day for this little guy!
Victory flap! He is delighted with his huge
accomplishment and shows us his beautiful wings.
Getting his balance in the palm isn't too easy. The
palm tree is so much more different than the nest tree.
Flapping his wings and deciding what to do next.
A look at the pinfeathers that are still unfurling on
his new primary flight feathers.
Settling down on the palm frond.
Now climbing on the frond.
Finding a comfortable spot to observe his new world.
He is liking his new view of mom and dad's territory.
The sun is starting to set.
Big sister is getting restless too. She starts to flap her
wings.
She is looking towards the palm where her mom and dad
are perched.
Wow, there she goes. The big youngster has decided to
join her mom in the palm tree on the north side of the nest tree. It is located
about 40 feet from the one she was perched in. Look at her fly! LOL, what big
feet you have!
I'm losing light but keep shooting. This is so
exciting!
She lands in the palm tree.
Mom flies to the first palm. It happened so fast I
failed to even get my camera up to take the shot. Right after mom's flight, "big
sister" flies back and joins mom on the same palm leaf. Now the two youngsters
and mom are all on the same palm tree to my right.
A look at mom and "big sister"
Sun is going down and only the top of the palm tree is
still catching the last of the sun rays.
Big sister is talking to mom. Probably saying that she is
hungry. Mom looks lovingly at her daughter.
What a treat, I get all tree of them in one frame.The sun
is setting quickly but the warm rays are still reaching the owls.
What a sweet sight.
Watching the sun go down for them is like us humans
watching the sun come up. It is a start of a new day for them. All the hunting
and activity will just be starting as the sun sets.
A magic time as they spend some time together. I am
thinking that this will be the last photo of all three of them together. They
will be flying further and further away from the nest tree as they explore their
new world.
What a wonderful moment.
There is a whole new world waiting for these two
youngsters. My eyes are tearing up and so are everyone else's that are here
watching this magical moment.
Happy Mother's Day to all the moms!
Mom and big youngster.
The setting sun reflecting in their eyes.
Little sister wants a kiss from mom. Probably a cue to
mom that she wants something to eat.
Adorable! What a wonderful owl family. Such a tender
moment to see.
I can hear the fledglings start to beg for food. They
are starting to call. The sound is "raspy" and soon will trigger the adults to
go hunt for prey.
I am so thankful for the chance to see this owl family
and see such a wonderful moment of fledging.
Little brother is looking down and appears to be comfortable
with a dozen birders watching in awe!
Mom flies back to dad's palm tree. Probably encouraging the
youngsters to follow.
They look towards mom and start to call for
food.
Wow, lucky for me I had my camera up!. "Big sister" takes
off from her palm to join her mom. Amazing!
She is looking great!
As she flies towards mom's palm, she flies into the
shadows.
Full concentration!
Amazing sight!
Wow, wow, wow!
I'm loving this moment. Feeling lucky to see such a
sight.
I am just amazed. I keep
clicking away!
Just think, when she is full grown, she is going to be
one fierce predator!
Approaching mom's palm tree.
Little brother looks and thinks about trying his wings
again but stays in his newfound perch for now.
Oh my! The big youngster has decided she loves to fly
and turns around and heads back to her palm tree. All you hear are hundreds of
clicks from all the cameras. These owls are rock stars in their community!
She is looking fantastic. Look at those talons.
Finds a landing pad.
Lands near her little brother.
She appears so very pleased with her ability to fly.
Keeps her wings flapping as her little brother looks on.
A precious shot of the two together.
Big sister finally settles down. The light is fading
fast.
Within seconds, the light goes out for the day and this
is the last shot I get. What a fantastic day this has been! I feel so blessed to
be here witnessing this special event. A magical day turns into a magical
night...
It's a full moon and it stays in my view as I head for
home. I will always remember this wonderful day. When I see a full moon I will
be thinking of the two beautiful Owls that were born and raised and fledged in
our neighborhood. Wishing them a good life and to stay safe.
Have a wonderful week everyone!
Happy Mother's Day to all the moms!
