Hooters and chicks - 2019 edition

[IronWing]

The great, horny owl couple returned to the town nest over the weekend so it's time to kick off this year's baby owl thread.

Dad's back and this year he allowed me to get a few pics.

Mom's back, blood on her beak, ready for another run.

She isn't sitting on the nest yet. Last year, the eggs didn't hatch until April 10 so were laid early March. I don't know if they are starting earlier this year or if it takes awhile for the owls to determine if the nest site is still good. They lost some hunting territory to new construction since last year.

 

[Mayne]

Nice pics. Where are you located?

 

[IronWing]

Nice pics. Where are you located?

Tucson, AZ

 

[Thebobo]

lol those ears and eyes are like tracking radar. Very majestic.

BTW ever been up to the corner in winslow, arizona?

Take it easy.

 

[Muadib]

Marked for spring! You better not spider us!!!!!!

 

[IronWing]

lol those ears and eyes are like tracking radar. Very majestic.

BTW ever been up to the corner in winslow, arizona?

Take it easy.

I have been to the corner in Winslow. Such a fine sight to see.

 

[GrumpyMan]

That guy looks like he means business...probably has never smiled...

 

[IronWing]

Three western screech owls were circling our house and calling last night. I got good views of them. I'll see if I can find the nest hole.

 

[realibrad]

Owls are liars.

 

[Thebobo]

Stumbled upon this. I would wear safety goggles anytime handling a raptor. Just thought it was heartwarming...

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=2160813847317793

 

[IronWing]

Mom is sitting on the nest this morning. I guess we can start the count down.

At the suburb nest, dad has been hanging around. I haven't seen mom yet.

 

[IronWing]

Mom on the nest this morning. With new branch growth, getting nest pics will be a bit harder this year. The branches will help keep the sun off the chicks though. Last year's chicks got cooked. I think that is why the pair is starting three weeks earlier this year.

Dad in the adjacent tree.

 

[IronWing]

First pic of mom and dad together!

 

[zinfamous]

It's amazing how they are always plotting your bloody murder in these pics. ...what, 3 seasons running?

 

[IronWing]

Not a nest but another owl…

Whiskered screech owl, Madera Canyon, Santa Rita Mtns, AZ

 

[IronWing]

Western screech owl, San Pedro River, Arizona. Not sure if they're going to raise a brood this year but watchers say that there are two of them hanging out together. The town owls are still at it. No sign of the suburb owls for a couple weeks so they may have moved on after the destruction of the owl palace after last year's nesting season.

 

[IronWing]

Yesterday's snow was not kind to mama owl. Since she is sitting on the eggs, she had to just gut it out…

as snow piled up on her back.

Dad wasn't too thrilled either but at least he could shake off the snow.

Today, the sun came back out and the mountains sparkled with the new snow. The whiskered screech owl was still in its tree soaking up the sun.

 

[IronWing]

Shit got real at the nest this morning. I had just got back into the car after looking for chicks (no chicks in view yet) when I saw someone swoop into the nest tree. "Holy crap, it's a red tail!" As I got back out of the car, dad came racing in from the other direction.

Mom with rabbit parts, which probably attracted the red tail.

Mmm, tasty rabbit and maybe owl chicks.

Dad's stance of dominance

The peanut gallery showed up to watch the action and maybe score whatever was left over after the fight.

"I can take you!"

"Is it a good day to die?"

Maybe I'll just move over here.

Wimp

Show's over, you can leave now.

 

[zinfamous]

damn, mighty fine drama.

 

[IronWing]

First chick sighting today! No pics yet. Last night we spotted a great horned owl back near the suburb nest from last year but haven't found a nest yet. Also found a barn owl roosting but no nest there either. The nest maybe farther up the roost tree; it's dark and tangled in there.

 

[IronWing]

Still no chick pics today but I did get a pic of the barn owl this evening. The light was awful as the owl was hiding in a tree at dusk so the ISO was stupid high (6400).

 

[IronWing]

Meet the babes! Lighting, wind, and branches were making photography really crappy today so the pics aren't great but hopefully better photos soon.

Chick sitting in front of mom. Mom's breast feathers on right.

The chick is resting its head on what appears to be a hunk of rabbit.

Chick stretching and showing flight feathers still tucked inside feather sheathes.

Two chicks in view here.

Mom

Dad is hanging much tighter to the nest this year.

 

[Muadib]

This thread really delivered! Thanks!!!

 

[IronWing]

A pic from yesterday, two chicks in view. I'm pretty sure that there are three chicks in the nest, possibly four.

 

[lxskllr]

Homely little things.