photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
tammie | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> Baby Great Horned Owl tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Baby Great Horned Owl

On Mothers Day I had the chance to photograph some other "moms" babies. The first is a Great Horned Owl that took up residence in a basket in a tree at the Feather Rehab Center. It is believed that both parents are possibly rehabbed birds the Feather has taken in at one time or another. The nest has been monitored by cameras positioned on a shed the basket is located behind. A storm a few nights previous to this was cause to actually go up and check out the basket.
Click on the thumbnails for a larger version.
As we approached the basket with a ladder, this great horned owl was not happy.
P5092522.JPG		As we approached the basket with a ladder, this great horned owl was not happy.
As we got closer, she hunkered down, giving clue that she was protecting something. We were not really sure at this point that she would leave so we could take a look inside.
P5092523.JPG		As we got closer, she hunkered down, giving clue that she was protecting something. We were not really sure at this point that she would leave so we could take a look inside.
Lots of clicking going on now. A defense mechanism, trying to keep us away.
P5092524.JPG		Lots of clicking going on now. A defense mechanism, trying to keep us away.
This is right before she finally left. She went to a tree not far away and watched us closely.
P5092525.JPG		This is right before she finally left. She went to a tree not far away and watched us closely.
Don, a volunteer at the Feather, goes up first. Outfitted in protective head gear in case mom decides to attack. And yes, he confirms there is a baby and another egg!
P5092528.jpg		Don, a volunteer at the Feather, goes up first. Outfitted in protective head gear in case mom decides to attack. And yes, he confirms there is a baby and another egg!
Next up is Fisher, to document what is in the nest and get some pictures.
P5092530.jpg		Next up is Fisher, to document what is in the nest and get some pictures.
Don took this one with my camera. I wasn't sure that I was going to go up and check it out myself, (that height thing!)and this is what he saw. There were several partially eaten rats in the basket. Fisher had been putting them out and mom was bringing back to the nest.
P5092537.JPG		Don took this one with my camera. I wasn't sure that I was going to go up and check it out myself, (that height thing!)and this is what he saw. There were several partially eaten rats in the basket. Fisher had been putting them out and mom was bringing back to the nest.
My curiosity got the best of me so I put the height thing aside and went up for a look myself. I am so glad I did. Awesome!! The babys head is near the bottom of the picture. Noting the bluish silver toenails and the fact that it could not support its own head, leads us to believe it could have been born the day before. At this stage the mother holds the babies head with her feet and tears off very very tiny pieces of meat and feeds it to the baby.
P5092540.JPG		My curiosity got the best of me so I put the height thing aside and went up for a look myself. I am so glad I did. Awesome!! The babys head is near the bottom of the picture. Noting the bluish silver toenails and the fact that it could not support its own head, leads us to believe it could have been born the day before. At this stage the mother holds the babies head with her feet and tears off very very tiny pieces of meat and feeds it to the baby.
It is unknown why the other egg did not hatch. It may not have been strong enough to break through the membrane of the egg. The other babys progress will be monitored and if it makes it to be a fledgling it will be banded. Stay tuned.................
P5092541.JPG		It is unknown why the other egg did not hatch. It may not have been strong enough to break through the membrane of the egg. The other babys progress will be monitored and if it makes it to be a fledgling it will be banded. Stay tuned.................
These bunnies are in my brothers backyard, also discovered on Mothers Day. They were nestled in along a fence line, covered with leaves and grasses, very well hidden.
P5093140.JPG		These bunnies are in my brothers backyard, also discovered on Mothers Day. They were nestled in along a fence line, covered with leaves and grasses, very well hidden.
There were others hiding about, but not as well as these 3.
P5093146.JPG		There were others hiding about, but not as well as these 3.
More turkey vultures by Rawhide. The one with the black head is an immature bird from last year.
P5092438.JPG		More turkey vultures by Rawhide. The one with the black head is an immature bird from last year.
P5092441.JPG
P5092441.JPG
P5092445.JPG
P5092445.JPG
Not the best picture, but it shows that I was able to walk up very close to them. There were several in the area, and a few low flyers checking me out. I was thankful none of them left a surprise on my head!
P5092483.JPG		Not the best picture, but it shows that I was able to walk up very close to them. There were several in the area, and a few low flyers checking me out. I was thankful none of them left a surprise on my head!

comment | share
Don Spencer12-May-2004 02:56
Great series Tammie, how long have you had the C-2100??
click on thumbnails for full image