May 16 was the first date I observed the owls. The nest was in the crotch of a large cottonwood tree. With a long lens, one could observe the nest from both the north and west sides.
View from the west side. May 16.
View from the west side. May 16.
View from the north side. May 16.
The chicks watch as Mom (Dad?) prepares supper. May 20.
It's a full week before a first flight, but there's frequent stretching and flexing. May 20.
In the direct sunlight, the downy fuzz makes the chicks almost glow. May 20.
May 20.
One of my grand-daughters described the owl's gaze as "creepy". May 20.
May 22.
On of the parents is usually nearby. May 22.
Scratch, scratch! May 22.
What huge talons on an otherwise cute chick! May 22.
I observed this open-mouth behavior a lot. There is no sound, just a yawning stretch. May 22.
With a sibling just out of sight, this chick matches its parent's stare. May 28.
May 29
Although the chicks make frequent flights from limb to limb, they appear to study each flight carefully before jumping. As I watched this bird repeatedly squat and stretch before finally committing to the air, I was reminded of my grand-kids on a diving board, working up the courage to jump. May 30.
A duet? June 1.
June 2.
Sometime between sundown June 6 and dawn June 7, the parents moved the chicks to a different (and smaller) cottonwood tree fifty yards to the north. June 7.
Sometime between sundown June 6 and dawn June 7, the parents moved the chicks to a different (and smaller) cottonwood tree fifty yards to the north. June 7.
I thought it was interesting to see these in the same view. Although taken the same day (June 7), the occasions are eight hours apart, and the color of the light has changed. Also, Junior is standing, while the parent has legs bent, so my scale may be iffy. Nevertheless ...
