Last post I gave a big-eyed view of what this post would be about. Let’s take a closer look at two nesting mama owls (and a fuzzy baby).
Athena is the mama Great Horned Owl that nests in a stone planter above the entrance walkway at the Wildflower Center. She is becoming quite the rock star, no pun intended, and she’s remarkably blasé about the stares and camera clicks from visitors walking below her. In the cooler mornings, only mama owl is visible, but as the sun warms things up…
…the owlets start to stir. This year Athena has two owlets. I snapped pictures while I was at the Wildflower Center plant sale last weekend, and while I could see both owlets, only one was photo-accessible.
It’s hard not to be enamored of that fuzzy little Muppet face.
I lucked out later when one of the owlets got braver, resting in front of mama. The second owlet was moving around quite a bit but staying just about out of sight– if you look very closely, you can see a hint of the hidden owlet behind the plant (it helps to compare the two photographs directly above).
It won’t be long and these lovely owlets will be ready to leave the nest and start hunting for skunks and other critters on their own. Fierce hunters, Great Horned Owls are!
Back at home, we are eagerly awaiting a glimpse of the baby screech owl (or owls) in our owl box.
I have to say, our mama Screech Owl is a very good mother.
She’s calm most of the time, not minding me taking pictures or the rambunctious dogs playing below her, but she is ever alert.
One time while I visited her, something in the sky caught mama’s attention, and I saw her go on guard. When she suddenly ducked into the house, I looked to see what alarmed her. The shadow flying overhead turned out to be a black vulture, but mama Screech Owl was not taking any chances.
Mama Screech has had successful nests in our owl boxes (she’s used both in different years) for a few years now. I was out the other day, right at dusk, and I couldn’t see her in the house. But I could hear strange sounds coming from inside — baby or babies asking for food! And while I stood listening in the near-dark, mama owl whooshed overhead into the hole. I wish I’d seen what food she was delivering — I’m always curious about that.
With luck, we’ll get to see her young, and with some more luck, we’ll even be able to share a picture or two. Owl keep trying! 🙂
I love your owl posts almost as much as I love the lizard posts. 🙂
I wish I could post lizard photos more often — I always seem to find them when I don’t have my camera handy. Then they scurry away before I can go get it.
I had no idea that she could have 2 owlets in the nest at what seem to be very different stages in their development. Great pictures – thanks! Always an education.
There shouldn’t be a great difference in their ages. Most likely the parents didn’t start incubating until all the eggs were laid. The one in the back was just hidden by the plant.
Those owlets are so adorable. At night when I go outside, I can hear screech owls in the distance. I’d love to attract them to the garden with a nest box, but I’m not sure that would be prudent with our flock of chickens nearby. I’ll just enjoy your pics. Thanks for sharing.
I would think only small chicks would catch the eye of the screech owl — adult chickens would be much bigger than the screech owl! Of course, don’t quote me on that (nor hold me to it). But guaranteed, that if you are hearing owls in the distance, they already know you have chickens around (even if they aren’t really on the menu).
I am always amazed that these owls don’t seem to mind so much activity around their nest area. I have thought about adding a nesting box to attract owls but thought since we have kids and dogs out and about in the garden that they would be deterred from nesting. Sounds like that is not the case. Maybe I will have to have a go at it! Great photos!
Karin, I worried about that, too, for a while. Even though mama owl is remarkably tolerant, especially of our dogs, I’m always very careful when the owlets are about to fledge, just so the dogs don’t run out and find one in reach. We scan the yard and then escort the dogs during this time, especially when it’s dark. I know that screech owls nesting closer to buildings have a reputation of swooping on passersby if they feel their babes are threatened. Our owl boxes are several yards away, so mama has plenty of time to get used to our presence as we move around the yard. Also, we placed the houses 12 feet off the ground — she’s got ample height and no need to worry.