A Couple of HOOTS!!

While out fixing fence this afternoon, we came across these two young Great Horned owlets just hanging out and taking in the scenery.  I love watching the transformation of very young fuzzy, fluffy owlets to the mix of fluff and adult feathers these teen-like fledglings now have!  Such amazing birds of prey!

Who Hoo ... Doesn't Love Seeing a Snowy?

Squinting it's eyes into the wind, this gorgeous Snowy Owl (Nyctea scandiaca) was perched upon a telephone pole, despite the waves of 'snow squalls' we had throughout the day and into the evening!  Yes, one minute the sky was blue and the sun was out ... the next it was snowing, blowing and the roads were NOT nice!  Somehow, such weather never deters a Snowy Owl!  Love 'em!

I See You ...

I see you, little baby Great Horned Owl, hiding in the remains of some canola at the edge of that slough!  Do you see me?  Ooops, I'm afraid so ... and I was not quick enough on the shutter button today!  :(

Well, I might have to go looking for you another day!  I 'think' you are the baby owlet we saw in the spring and I think you are Olive's sibling!  You are now in the same piece of land that we always see Olive in!  Hopefully she and your parents keep you out of mischief!  Happy hunting little one!

Owl Addition Update!

Our owl babe is growing!!  It's fuzzy feathers are slowly being replaced with more 'grown-up' garb and it's 'horns' are starting to form!  This lil' one is no longer found in it's nest as often anymore.  Sometimes we can spot it sitting higher up in the trees with it's parents and other times we can't spot it at all ... out learning the ropes of a Great Horned Owl!

Newest Owl Addition - A Spring Baby

Way back in March, I snapped this photo of a nesting Mama Great Horned Owl.  Not the best shot, as I took it from the road and in my vehicle, in an attempt to avoid disturbing the 'Mrs.' Due to location, we figured the chances that this was 'Olive's' Mom were pretty good.  Well, we've kept a watchful eye on this nest, slowing down for a glimpse here and there.  We thought we saw a lil' head a couple of weeks ago.  However, someone was perched up in it's nest today with Mama keeping a very close watch!  

Again, not the best photos, as they were once again taken from the vehicle and a long ways back ... it's a stretch for my 300mm lens BUT ... there is definitely a new addition to our Great Horned Owl family!  Hopefully, Mama and Papa can keep this one out of the fences this year!  It's so fluffy!  How cute is that?

Checking on Olive!

The boys and I took some time this afternoon and headed over to the Medicine River Wildlife Centre (http://www.medicineriverwildlifecentre.ca).  We have never been to the wildlife centre nor had we been over to visit "Olive," the Great Horned Owl that we found tangled in one of our fences not too long ago (Owl Rescue post, July 19th).  The wildlife centre has a wonderful interpretive centre, wildlife hospital, educational programs and nature trail.  Currently, if I remember correctly ... the centre is looking after 16 injured Great Horned Owls, including "Olive!"  WOW ... that's a lot of Great Horned Owls!!!  They are also caring for hawks, song birds, waterfowl, mammals, etc.

The boys and I were able to see Olive but I did not take pictures of her as she was in an inside pen.  However, I can report that she looks amazing ... and has grown so much in the last few weeks!  Her "horns" ... ear tufts are forming and her little 'fuzzy' feathers are disappearing.  She damaged some muscle tissue but she is healing and she is flying.  Hopefully, within the next few weeks, she will be strong enough that she can be released back to her original stomping grounds!  Although I did not get any shots of "Olive" ... I was able to take a couple of pictures of these beautiful Barred Owls (Strix varia).

These owls are found in our forests ... alas ... not the 'bald ass prairie!'  So, I've only seen a barred owl one other time, hence it was a treat to see these gorgeous creatures with their very distinct dark eyes!!  Prior to leaving the centre, the boys and I checked out their nature trail!  If you get a chance to check out the wildlife centre ... please do ... its a fantastic way to educate yourself and your family on our local wildlife!