Visiting a Great Horned Owl's Nest, Part 2

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.

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. 

 

Under-view.

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. 

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!