A birding guidebook says that the Great Horned Owl is a common resident of almost all habitats in our region. Fair enough, but just try to find one.
So, it was a delight to encounter one, and its chick, in the last few days. (OK, I didn’t find it on my own; Joanne Siderius, the senior naturalist at Kokanee Creek Park, showed me where to look.)
A Great Horned Owl perches high in the forest and watches trail walkers far below.
Nearby is one of its two chicks on its first day out of the nest.
WOW. Well done Alistair. What a treat
Wonderful – I remember walking in Kokanee Creek Park several years ago when a great horned owl flew over us. The sound of the wings was amazing.
Thanks
Fabulous eyes and markings. Great photos. Of interest here: the first Purple Martins were seen at the nesting boxes. This is the first sighting since the Golf Course opened in 1991.
Alastair.
What a mighty big baby! And he’s well underway by the look of his talons. What life abounds high in the treetops…
Very nice photos. Yes, great horned owls certainly are elusive even though they’re a common resident of most woodland.
Splendid shot of this young owl.
Stopped at my brother’s in Ballwin, MO, on my trip to Michigan, and hooked up with an owl person that evening. She took me out to Wild Acres Park in Overland, MO. Three GHO’s had fledged and were in area and had a couple of feeding trees where they begged for food. I was fortunate to have seen them. It was a great evening.