Only one Great Horned Owlet remains in the nest. Yesterday and this morning the “middle kid” started “branching”. With owls branching is the period when an owlet can not yet fly, but is able to use its talons and walk on nearby branches … thus “branching”. Given how difficult it was to get a vantage point into the nest, I am enjoying this phase of their lives.
The Triplets! (yes … all three owlets are in this image)
Fluffball Down!
Mom
Branching
I hiked in to the Canosia Wildlife Preserve Great Blue Heron Rookery this morning. There is a fantastic swamp / pond that has been formed by the HUGE beaver dam. Birds and other mammals love the handiwork of the beavers (many generations).
In the story of bird migration, it is almost always the males of each species which return to summer nesting grounds first … followed by females later in the spring. Two Tree Swallows found a drowned birch tree … perfect for a nest. A Battle Royale was joined … very fierce and very short (less than one second). This battle was repeated many times as each male tree swallow desired the optimale nesting hole. Enjoy!
The “challenger” lands just above the defending champion, who notes his presence.
The Battle! (last image is of the challenger falling away and giving up for the moment)
The “champion” post fight with his nest hole!
Yes … last night at sunset I learned there are actually three owlets, Great Horned Owl triplets! It was lousy light, and to see all three you’ll have to watch the movie (link for email subscribers) to see all the youngsters.
This afternoon for the first time in nine days the sun made an appearance … no rain, no snow, no high winds. Thus, I visited the nest. The youngests owlet is now branching (moving about on branches near the nest), while the younger two are still nestbound. Enjoy. (I did!)
