Can You Find the Owl?

Great Horned Owl

The camouflage is amazing. If it wasn't for its distinguishing and penetrating eye, you might miss the owl altogether.

I have been anxiously awaiting the coming of the owls. This is the 9th year in a row that we have had owls come back to the hollow in this tree to procreate. I first noticed mama, here, sitting on her eggs on the 3rd of December, about a week ago. Prior to that, the distinctive calls, "who, who," had been heard early in the mornings, with an occasional sighting of the male or female alighting in the trees nearby. Now that mama is sitting on her eggs, the male has been seen only occasionally, usually in late afternoons, standing near the female. Presumably, the male either brings food to the female or is taking his turn sitting on the eggs while the female forages for food.

I have been very careful not to disturb them. Today was the first time I have ventured close to take a picture, albeit only close enough to fill the frame with a 200mm lens. Of course, the owl's eyesight is probably the best on the planet, so one might ask what difference does it make, they are going to see you anyway. They must be used to me.

From now until next March, I hope to bring you the unfolding saga of the birth and development of the chicks that I hope will hatch sometime in January. I think you will enjoy the journey. Obviously, in the interest of protecting these magnificent birds, I am hesitant to disclose their exact location. I hope you understand.