Sunday 21 April 2013

Great Horned Owlet

Beach Grove Park, Tsawwassen, B.C. April 19 2013
High up in a popular tree a Great horned owlet stretches a wing and stretches out a hideous looking set of yellow talons. I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of those!
The young bird acts like any juvenile would, constantly nudging the sleeping mother, trying all kinds of tricks to wake her up. Now, if only the adult would turn around for the perfect portrait. The owlet, which can only be a few weeks old eventually turns around and faces me. A third owl, the male can be seen preening in a nearby fir tree but is hidden in the shade. Finally, after after two hours I decide to call it a day and try again another day.


A great horned owlet (Bubo virginianus) . The adult parent is  on the left.
 I am told that the pair normally produce three owlets. One thing is for sure, without the park and its large trees there wouldn't be any owls at all.


The owlet wil lose the fluffy down appearance  by the Fall.

1 comment:

  1. John, Wow, excellent captures! Such a treat to see these guys!

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