Birds and Nature

I spotted this Great Horned Owl perched about 75 feet up in a large tree. As I walked beneath the tree, it became clear why it choose it's current perch--it was at least partially camouflaged by branches and leaves from any position on the ground. I took a few quick hand-held shots and moved on so I didn't flush it from it's safe perch on the grounds of The Abbey in Canon City,CO. SeEetta

This owl mom is sitting on a nest in the Canon City, Colo area. SeEtta

These are the parents to the Great Horned Owl nestling in the post below. SeEtta

This is a family of Great Horned Owls that I have been following since the parents were beginning to nest. When I checked on them right before I left for my trip to Texas in April, there were two young nestlings on the nest. When I returned from my trip and checked on May 16, the nest was empty and the two young fledglings in the top pics were on a tree branch no more than 75 feet from the nest tree. At this stage the fledglings have very weak flying skills and were still mostly hopping around on branches, which accounts for their being referred to as "branchers" at this stage. When I returned on May 18, I found one of the fledlings practicing it's flying skills. I saw at least one parent owl, the one in bottom pics, was nearby on both occasions. All of the pics can be enlarged for real close-up views though the 2nd pic isn't as good. In the third pic enlarging will show that the parent bird, though seemingly napping near it's offsping, actually has one of it...