FuzzBall has Fledged!

Year 10

Not only is FuzzBall alive (see yesterday’s post), but the little owlet is now fledged! At 6:15 am this morning I found the Great Horned Owlet across the  creek way up high in an extremely tall white pine tree. The only way to reach the perch FuzzBall is using today is via “flight mode”. The day an owlet fledges is a HUGE accomplishment, and soon it must start learning how to hunt.

The two images given below were taken about 2 minutes apart. A distances of about 125 yards separates the two owlets today. Momma Owl tends to find perches where she may watch both of her youngsters. Poppa Owl normally dekes the crows away from the area. In addition to crows, FuzzBall learned this morning what it was like to have a Merlin take two dive bombing runs at it.

FuzzBall Fledged in White Pine Tree

Meanwhile junior is still only branching back in the nest tree. I estimate junior is about 5 to 7 days younger than FuzzBall.

Junior Branching in Nest Tree

FuzzBall is Alive!!!

Year 10
FuzzBall is Alive!!!!!!!
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After getting home late last night from the Canadian Rockies, I knew I had to find the owls for my grandchildren who are visiting this weekend. Thus by 5:15 am this morning (4:15 Mountain Daylight) I was hiking …
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1. Owlet (Junior) branching up high in white pine by nest
2. Momma across creek up high in white pine watching Junior
3. Wait! Second Owlet down low in white pine next to creek!
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Yes … Two Owlets!!! FuzzBall is alive.
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Apparently two weeks ago when I found FuzzBall at 5 am on the ground, and then returned 15 minutes later to discover an explosion of white feathers, I incorrectly assumed FuzzBall met its demise to a local fox. What must have happened is Momma Owl delivered breakfast in that 15 minutes, and then FuzzBall must have jumped over the side of the ravine. Look out below! FuzzBall must have been hiding down next to the creek for the past two weeks. Now, the youngster is finally “branching” and I rediscovered the owlet. Life is good! (in many ways). FuzzBall is still way below the original nest, but the owlet is now up in a white pine about 20 feet off the ground. Yippee!
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Here is a photo of Fuzzball, and an image of Momma Owl with Junior (photos taken seconds apart).

Kananaskis Foothills and Mountains Birding

Year 10

While most everyone, their best friends, and then even more people head to the Banff / Lake Louise area in the mountains west of Calgary, some birding locals clued me in to Kananaskis. While certainly the Banff area is gorgeous, Kananaskis which is only a short drive from my motel in High River has fantastic vistas, super wildlife, and almost no people. Guess where I spent two days this week?! Before I get to my birding, here are a few images from my drive up through the foothills into the mountains. Please note I was on gravel roads, some of which do not even open till June 30th due to snowpack.

Random Foothills Roadside View

Sheep River Falls (Google Maps Link)

Okay … birds. I will admit I was hoping to see Golden Eagles, and my route is known for same, but I came up empty, but this little Mountain Bluebird delighted the eyes

A much more unique bird is the American Dipper, which is a diminutive songbird which actually swims underwater in fast flowing streams to catch insects. This individual was just downstream from Sheep River Falls.

At one meadow the Western Kingbird made an appearance, followed by an old faithful from northern Minnesota, the Ruffed Grouse.