Nesting owls near High River

Great Horned Owl - 2014 © Christopher Martin

A nest east of High River that I have watched for a few years is home to a new brood of Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) owlets again this spring.  I went on a backroad tour last weekend and when I saw the nest occupied I set up the long lens and watched the owl as it dozed.  I watched her shift her weight around a few times and hoped that there were nestlings who might want to peek out from under their feathery blanket.  It didn’t take too long for one and then two of these babies to have a look around.

2014 © Christopher Martin

Owl and owlets - 2014 © Christopher Martin

On this latest visit, a fellow admirer told me that the nest has been used to raise owlets annually for over forty years.  I love that and it makes sense as the nest is in a great location with access to fields, shade, protection and seemingly all of the things that make for a good home.

Owl on guard - 2014 © Christopher Martin
A couple more photographs from the visit.

Fluffing up - 2014 © Christopher Martin

A little peckish are we? - 2014 © Christopher Martin

Aware of what's around - 2014 © Christopher Martin

9 responses

  1. Pingback: An owl in the woods | Christopher Martin Photography

  2. vastlycurious.com

    May 22, 2014 at 8:29 pm

  3. Reblogged this on 4 lastday, & the day of judgment.

    April 30, 2014 at 7:28 am

  4. great shot of mama and baby!

    April 14, 2014 at 7:18 am

  5. Fraz

    lovely pictures… nice backgrounds

    April 13, 2014 at 10:24 pm

  6. Wonderful.

    April 13, 2014 at 6:26 pm

  7. ninano

    The mother owl does look sleepy. I guess she is normally awake mostly during the night? Beautiful shots, thank you for sharing them.

    April 13, 2014 at 7:06 am

  8. What great shots, the yawner is priceless.

    April 12, 2014 at 9:14 pm

  9. These are just precious!

    April 12, 2014 at 6:16 pm

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