Fledging Great Horned Owl
Apr 10, 2020 17:26:27 #
Nitroclimber
Loc: Nebraska
This morning I located a young great horned owl that I have been observing over the course of several weeks. It left the nesting site yesterday and I thought it flew away until I spotted it this morning on the ground. I watched it walk up this pine while it's mom watched and guarded him from badgering crows.
I am guessing that I have only a short time to get additional shots as he will likely fly and relocate.
These pictures are shot through a glass window pane in low light. Great Horned Owls can kill and eat skunks and I believe that if I survive covid-19 it would be a shame to have a newspaper headline featuring me being killed by an owl.
I am guessing that I have only a short time to get additional shots as he will likely fly and relocate.
These pictures are shot through a glass window pane in low light. Great Horned Owls can kill and eat skunks and I believe that if I survive covid-19 it would be a shame to have a newspaper headline featuring me being killed by an owl.
Apr 10, 2020 17:37:20 #
How adorable is that??? Looks like a big teddy bear. He seems to have you in his sights in the last two. What a beautiful post.
Are you really from Nebraska?? I was born and raised in Adams County south of Hastings.
Are you really from Nebraska?? I was born and raised in Adams County south of Hastings.
Apr 10, 2020 17:46:22 #
Nitroclimber
Loc: Nebraska
We have been looking at each other for a number of weeks and I would assume his eye-sight is much better than mine.
Yes, I live on the outskirts of Lincoln.
Thanks for looking!
Yes, I live on the outskirts of Lincoln.
Thanks for looking!
Apr 10, 2020 18:21:25 #
Apr 10, 2020 21:06:57 #
Apr 10, 2020 21:52:38 #
Apr 11, 2020 05:48:25 #
Nitroclimber wrote:
This morning I located a young great horned owl th... (show quote)
Very nice set of images
Apr 11, 2020 06:09:46 #
Nitroclimber wrote:
This morning I located a young great horned owl th... (show quote)
Fantastic set !!!!!
Apr 11, 2020 07:34:34 #
Nitroclimber
Loc: Nebraska
Thanks for looking UTMike, ecobin, imagemeister, J-SPEIGHT, and Manglesphoto. It is 6:30 am here in Lincoln, NE and I am hearing hooting, so there may be more pictures to come!
Apr 11, 2020 07:58:25 #
tcthome
Loc: NJ
Great series. I imagine the crows will soon be afraid to badger him. The crows in my back yard are chasing all the birds out who are trying to build nest, kind of a gang taking over the block.
Apr 11, 2020 08:48:54 #
What will happen the Owlet is branching, he will move all over the tree, many other trees as he grows and branches. he will end up on top of the highest tree. I was following a pair in 2014 and the owlet did what I mentioned, the last I saw of them they were on top of the tree. Keep following until you cant find them
Apr 11, 2020 09:00:37 #
Apr 11, 2020 09:23:34 #
Great shots! A couple years ago I found a GHO nest. When they got that size, the mother demolished the nest. Then she would hunt and return to a nearby tree with it's prey. The owlets would have to make their way to the kill. It's a process called branch hopping (according to a state biologist). It makes it difficult to track them down but you are close to them fledging. If you manage to see that, it's a moment you will never forget. Gary
Apr 11, 2020 11:55:52 #
Nitroclimber
Loc: Nebraska
tcthome wrote:
Great series. I imagine the crows will soon be afraid to badger him. The crows in my back yard are chasing all the birds out who are trying to build nest, kind of a gang taking over the block.
Thanks for looking and your information. I would have thought they would already be afraid to badger. Mom and dad owl grabbed one in the air and mom and baby bird ate him! If you want some additional pictures and video go to my Facebook page: Dave Rutledge (Lincoln, NE).
Apr 11, 2020 11:59:52 #
Nitroclimber
Loc: Nebraska
gwr wrote:
Great shots! A couple years ago I found a GHO nest. When they got that size, the mother demolished the nest. Then she would hunt and return to a nearby tree with it's prey. The owlets would have to make their way to the kill. It's a process called branch hopping (according to a state biologist). It makes it difficult to track them down but you are close to them fledging. If you manage to see that, it's a moment you will never forget. Gary
Thanks for looking and your comments. The mother I am observing also demolished their nest and they spent about a week just hanging on limbs. Baby had not left the tree until about two days ago. I will watch for branch hopping. I believe young owl is still in the area as I spotted dad being bugged by a crow this morning. He should be sleeping, but he is awake and guarding. I have not located young owl as of now.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.