The Return of the Great Horned Owls Part 1

It all began in March. Thomas and I had been taking Kona for a walk when we passed by two people who were looking into the trees, one using a pair of binoculars. I couldn't resist and asked them "what are you looking at?" "Nothing right now" the older gentleman responded. "But, we are looking for owls." "Owls!!", I thought. They were speaking my language. We started talking about Great Horned Owls and I showed them pictures I had on my website of the owl family I had met the year before. They were familiar with this family and we spoke fondly of them. We were curious if the owls would return to the same area since their nesting tree had fallen down the year before. They took my contact information and said they would message me if they had any sightings. This would be the beginning of a new friendship through the love of owls.

It was so funny when we parted ways as Thomas was all confused. At first he thought I knew these people, but as our conversation continued he realized I didn't. He just laughed and shook his head. What can I say, I like to talk to people.

A few days later I received a message that the dad was spotted. So, I headed down to the forest. In the weeks to come, I would visit the dad once in awhile. When I did see him, he was in the same tree perched on the same side each time. We figured that the nesting tree was close by and in the direction the dad was watching.

Papa Great Horned Owl perched on his tree.

There were a couple of nesting tree possibilities in the area. The 3 or 4 of us would stand around and discuss what tree would make the perfect nest. There was one in particular I was pretty certain it would be a great home. At this point, we still hadn't seen the mom.

Then one day as I was visiting dad with my friend I looked up to the hole in the tree and I saw something in it. I took a picture and zoomed in to see the tip of some feathers. The Mama!!! Entering the opening, it must have gone down deep, which seemed perfect to hide the babies. We thought we had found the tree and I was excited.

Mama's wing

However, there wasn't a lot of action in the tree for a few weeks after this encounter, when I would visit. We started to doubt ourselves and thought maybe the mom had changed her mind. But, dad continued to perch in the same tree, looking in the same direction.

Then one day, I was walking by the tree with a friend when I thought I saw something in the hole. I said to my girlfriend that I thought the feathers I saw might be the top of the head of a baby but she was convinced they were strayed feathers that had come off of the mom. She was right. However, later on that day I had received a text from my owl spotter friends that a baby was sited. Exactly 7 weeks after we first met the dad.

"Mama, I wanna see!"

For the first couple of visits I just saw one baby filling up the hole. She/he was so curious of me. Every once in awhile they would move their heads in circles looking like they were dancing the funky chicken. This is one of my favourite photos. This little owlet had a photo session and this was the "Shy Pose." The picture isn't completely clear but I just love how it turned out looking more like a drawing or painting of the owlet on the stage.

The Pose

Less than a week later, Thomas and I headed down to the forest to see if there was any action. Before reaching the location I received a text saying that there were definitely two babies and that mom was feeding them. We learned that Great Horned Owls will lay eggs up to 1- 4 days apart from each other and up to 4 eggs.

This staggered hatching gives the oldest chick a survival advantage, especially when food is scarce. It’s nature’s way of ensuring at least one or two chicks may survive even in tough years. This is why if you do get to encounter owlets, one seems a little bigger than the others.

We arrived about a minute later and I experienced my most favourite moments and pictures of the Great Horned Owlets. Definitely one of my top 5 of this journey. The leaves still were not fully grown so we had a clear image of the mama feeding the baby.

First, here's a video I captured of Mama feeding the one baby. At this point we hadn't seen the second one yet.

Great Horned Owl Mama feeding her baby

After awhile we saw a second head peeking out wanting to eat something as well. I am so excited to present you with these pictures.

Supper Time

"I want some too, Mama!"

Family portrait

Double Trouble

You can view this picture at the Okotoks Art Gallery.

"It's a big world out there"

Oh my goodness. Aren't they the cutest little birds ever?

For a few days later I would return to the nest and visit the babies. My friends and I were very excited and grateful to have had these encounters. We were so happy that this mama and papa Great Horned Owl had decided to return to the forest and just find residency elsewhere. But, of course this is not the end of the story as I still have weeks of observations and watching them grow and spread their wings. However, that will be for the next time.

Coming up- the owlets leave the nest and the group discovers that there's actually a third baby. Stay tuned.

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Markets

I will be at the Canmore Market on Thursday July 10th and the 24th from 10am to 6pm. Come on by and say hi and see what goods I have to offer. Can't make it to Canmore? You can also purchase some of my items in Okotoks at Sweetgrass Deli and the Okotoks Art Gallery as well as at Little Apple Cafe in Longview.

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Happy Summer Friends! Thanks for being here so I could share my tale with you.