Monday, April 17, 2017

Great Horned Owl


Hello,

During our time in Florida, we often visited the nearby Lake Parker Park in Lakeland.
We would check out the Great Horned Owl and it's baby owls at least once a week. It was fun watching them grow.  These images are taken from a distance and the owl's nest was on top of a light pole that was on the soccer field.


I am sharing a few facts about these owls. The outer ears are concealed by feathers on the side of the head.




Their iris is yellow and their eyes are ranked are among the largest in the animal kingdom.


Their bill is hard and inflexible.


It was awesome seeing the owlets. One on each side of the adult. I assume this is the adult female, we never saw the two parents together.

Thank you for stopping by and as always I appreciate your comments.

My list of memes for today, I hope to see you there. Thanks to both of the host below.

Thanks to Michelle for hosting Nature Notes
Thanks to Stewart for hosting Wild Bird Wednesday

124 comments:

Marit said...

Hello,

Beautiful shots of the owls! They are so pretty. I can hear a owl here in the night, but I have never seen it.

Happy Monday, and enjoy your new week ahead!

Gordon said...

That is very interesting, but look where the nest is, thats amazing.
Great, Gordon.

Sue said...

It's amazing the places they find to build a nest. How fun it must have been to see those babies.

chica said...

Que beleza!!! Fotos sensacionais!ADOREI! Linda semana! bjs, chica

Nancy J said...

The Mum is the cutest ever, and to think she has two babies up there, precarious is the wind blew hard, guess the Dad brings food every so often. What fab photos.

Marco Luijken said...

Hello Eileen,
What a special place to see these owls. Good to see you've photograph them.

Best regards,
Marco

Anonymous said...

Incredible photos, Eileen. Have a nice week.

DeniseinVA said...

How exciting to be able to observe these delightful owls. Fantastic photos Eileen! Thanks so much for sharing them and have a great week :)

Lynne said...

If that isn't the best photo catch ever.
Look at those perky little newbies atop of that light pole!
Bet momma has to keep a keen eye on those babies . . .
You are the best Eileen . . . finding owlets for us to see!

Bob Bushell said...

Aren't they so cute, the Owletts.

Sussi said...

great serie! They look a little bit sleepy

Tom said...

...quite a nest.

eileeninmd said...

Hello, I just love the owls. Thank you for the comment. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and the new week ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, the nest is amazing and cool that it was on the soccer field. Thank you for the comment.
Happy Monday, enjoy your day and the new week ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, yes they do find some weird places to build their nest. The babies were adorable. Thanks for the comment and visit. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and the new week ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Chica! Thanks so much for the comment and visit. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and the new week ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Nancy, I worried about the wind and thunder storms. The nest is high on a pole but they seemed to survive. Thanks for the comment and visit. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and the new week ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Marco, It was cool to see these owl on a nest out in the open. Thanks for the comment and visit. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and the new week ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Mildred, thanks for the comment and visit. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and the new week ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Hi Denise, I was delighted to see these owls. Thanks for the comment and visit. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and the new week ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Lynne, I was thrilled to see these owlets. But they were out in the open too, easy to spot. Thanks for the comment and visit. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and the new week ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Hi Bob, the owlets are cute! Thanks for the comment and visit. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and the new week ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Sussi, They might have just woke up. Thanks for the comment and visit. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and the new week ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Hi Tom, thanks for the comment and visit. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and the new week ahead!

MadSnapper said...

the owlets made me smile and I love the way they are peering at you with one eye in some of the photos

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
My word, what spring delights!!! YAM xx

Seraphinas Phantasie said...

Hi Eileen,
wonderful photos of the owl and owlets. They are hidden, but visible. Great !
Best, Synnöve

Florence said...

Such beautiful photos of Mom and babies!!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Sandra, I just love owls. Thanks so much for the comment and visit. Enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, thanks so much for the visit and comment. Enjoy your day and the new week ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, I am happy you liked the owls. Thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and the new week ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Florence, thanks so much for dropping by and for the comment. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and the new week ahead!

Mary Hone said...

That is something I would really love to see. How fun for you.

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

I love those guys. A hooter sent our dogs nutzo about eleven last night. About gave me a cardiac.

eileeninmd said...

Hello, I love the owls too. I can imagine your dog's surprise. They can be loud. Thanks so much for the visit and comment. Enjoy your day and new week ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Mary, it was fun seeing these cute owls. Thanks for the visit and comment. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and the new week ahead!

Cloudia said...

Wow! That IS great!

Anonymous said...

Baby owls are SO funny.

They have such serious faces in a big ball of FLUFF!

Linda said...

Beautiful captures, Eileen! I never see any owls here in Montreal, but that doesn't mean there aren't any, because I am sure they are somewhere here in Quebec. Thank you so much for sharing your always lovely and delightful photos, and I hope you have a great week ahead. :)

A Colorful World said...

Getting to see an owl's nest and owlets in the daytime, what a treat!

Lady Fi said...

Oh wow! Adorable shots.

Existe Sempre Um Lugar said...

Boa tarde, a coruja é uma ave linda com grande técnica de voo, as jovens corujas de olhos amarelos vão aprender facilmente a viver, as fotos são perfeitas.
AG

Cat Lover said...

Hi Eileen, lovely photos of the owls. I did not realize their eyes were so large. Thanks for sharing such interesting facts and your photos.
Robin

Elizabeth Edwards said...

i have only seen these in photos ... hope to one day see one in person. gorgeous shots. what a beauty!! happy week, Eileen!! take care. ( :

Christine said...

Oh I love these photos of the owl and her babies! Great captures, Eileen!
Have a great week!

Debbie said...

Awwww...how sweet!! I never see any owls here and I think they must me around!! Very nice captures!!

Linda W. said...

That baby owl is too cute!

Cranberry Morning said...

Oh my goodness, I love the owl photos! They are so sweet!

RedPat said...

Wonderful, Eileen!

Sue (this n that) said...

Gosh Eileen, it's been absolutely amazing to see the owl and owlets through your photos!! Thank you :D)
They're so very clever to choose the light tops for their nest (so nice of the authorities to allow them to stay too - cheers to them). It would give them warmth and height but it's also great as many people such as yourself can photograph them. A great post... enjoy your week :D)

Lois said...

An amazing sight. So glad you were able to get pictures!

Anonymous said...

I bet there were arguments agout turning off the light (hee hee). Great capture

The Yum List said...

So they've claimed the light post as their nest. I suppose if you chop the trees, birds need to get flexible. ;-)

HappyK said...

Wow great photos. They look right at home in their nest in the light. : )

krishna said...

Aww the baby owls..

Rose said...

I would have been so excited to see them!!!

ellen b said...

Hello Eileen, how interesting to see this owl in this environment. Not something I'd expect to see. Great shots!

Anonymous said...

Adorable! I can't help but smile at the nest site they chose.

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Such great photos, Eileen! They really are amazing birds! I once saw one swoop down in front of my car after a cat! Hope you had a nice Easter! xx Karen

rupam sarma said...

Lovely pics :)

Irma said...

Hi Eileen,
Great photos of owls.
How exciting to be able to observe these magnificent owls.
Best regards, Irma

This N That said...

Great pictures..Thanks for the education..I just love Owls!!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Cloudia, thanks so much for the comment. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Dee, lol! You are so right about the baby owl's faces. Thanks so much for the comment.
Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Linda! I would think the owls are near you too. I appreciate your visit and comment! Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, yes it was easy to see the owl's on top of the light pole. The other light poles on the soccer field had ospreys. The nest were everywhere. Thanks so much for the comment. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, yes they have big eyes. I was a distance away and they looked big. Thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Beth, I hope you get to see them some day. Thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Christine, I loved seeing the owls too. Thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hi Debbie, they were sweet! Thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Linda, thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Judy, They are sweet! Thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Sue, these owls picked a weird spot on the soccer field to make their nest. But, they are doing well so that is good. Thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Lois, I was thrilled to find them too. Thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Yes, these birds seem to do well there. thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, They do seem happy. Thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Rose, I was excited to see them. Thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks Missy! I always appreciate your visits and comments. I love the owls too. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Irma, I was thrilled to see the owls on the nest. Thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, they are amazing birds. Always a treat to see, just not too close to a car. Thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Patti, the owls may be soccer fans. Thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Ellen, the soccer field is an odd spot for their nest. Thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

tiptoethruphylsgarden.blogspot.com said...

I love your pictures. I had an encounter of some sort of raptor last week in a tree when I was taking my dog out on a leash. He was sitting in a tree watching my chicken coop. He actually hissed & growled.I was shocked,thought it was a raccoon or something at first,but then it took off with a huge spread of wings. Scared me. I wanna think it was a golden eagle as I am close to a deer farm.Love your great horned owl,we have them too but have not seen 1 for awhile,have a great week!phyllis

eileeninmd said...

Hello Phyllis, that sounds like an awesome raptor sighting. I would love to see the Golden Eagle. Thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

Findlay Wilde said...

What a fantastic set of pictures.

ann said...

Love the owls. We have the great horned here, but we only hear them at night and if we are lucky we have a Harry Potter moment as they fly through the yard light into the dark night sky. They next around here, but we haven't found their nests yet. Great photos.

Lowcarb team member said...

Lovely to see your photo's, especially the owlets.
Thanks too for the information.

Enjoy your week.

All the best Jan

Michelle said...

LOVE these! I would like to come across a Great Horned Owl!

Ruth said...

These are so cute! I will spy on them every day. Would like to see and owlet (I have never seen one).

Anu said...

What a place for their nest! Great photos! Owls are so beautiful and amazing birds.

Phil Slade said...

That must be a really safe place for the owls to nest. Lots of light to see what they are doing - the owls and birders alike!

Thanks for sharing those owls Eileen.

Lea said...

Owls atop a light pole - amazing!
Hope you are having a wonderful week!

Latane Barton said...

I have never seen an owl for real. What fun they must be to watch, especially the babies as they grow.

21 Wits said...

Blue skies, beautiful day, tough job here but some owl has to keep his/her eye on stuff, right?!

Richard Pegler said...

I love your owl images, Eileen. It seems a strange place for a nest, but I guess they stay warm at night and they've got a good all-round view.

Thank you for visiting my blog. With best wishes - - - Richard

Crafty Green Poet said...

Great photos, they're such impressive owls!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Findlay, thanks so much for your comment. Happy birding, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Ann, I love the owls too. I have heard the Barred owls calling from my yard. Thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Wednesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jan, the owlets are cute. Thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Wednesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Michelle, it is awesome to see any kind of owl. Thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Wednesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Ruth! I hope you get to see an owl in the wild. Thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Wednesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, it is a weird spot for their nest. They are beautiful! Thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Wednesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Phil! Yes, I think the owls are safe. I think they must enjoy watching the soccer games down below. Thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Wednesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Lea, they did pick an amazing spot for their nest. Thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Wednesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, it is neat seeing the baby owls. Thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Wednesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, I enjoyed my views of the sky and nest. Thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Wednesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, I would think the lights are only on during the night time soccer games. Thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Wednesday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, they are beautiful owls! Thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Wednesday, enjoy your day!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh how neat.... I don't know much about Owls --but love the Great Horned Owls.... I've never seen one (other than pictures, zoos, etc.).... The little Owlets are adorable...

Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Betsy

amo sin blogg said...

Oh, what a special bird.
You are so clever, find them all.

Happy aprildays ahead.
Hugs from Anne-Mari

Liz said...

The owls are gorgeous! I especially love the owlets.

William Kendall said...

Beautifully captured! They are amazing birds!

Black Jack's Carol said...

I think I have only seen owls about 8 times (maybe 9) in my life, and never, have I seen a nest with little ones in it. That would be a dream, but for now, I am thrilled to see your Great Horned Owl family. I must add, Eileen, that your kindness in alway responding to my posts, even when they are few and far between, and even when they are way late, is SO appreciated. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!

Hootin Anni said...

Aren't owls awesome? Any owls. The great horned owl I photographed I even named her..
Olivia

Loved viewing your pics

September Violets said...

Awww, what beautiful shots of mama and baby. Love these :)
Wendy

Rambling Woods said...

How adorable and lucky to be able to follow their progress Eileen...

NatureFootstep said...

it is interesting to see what our modern cities can be used by the animals and birds. Nice to see your shots of the young :)

Maggee said...

Wow! Very cool to see! The baby birds, no matter which ones, sure do grow fast! Yesterday I was visited by five Carolina Wrens fledglings! I look forward to seeing Burrowing Owls on your blog sometime! Hugs!

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