I had heard from friends that there was a pair of great horned owls nesting in the woods of the local dog park, so Mary took me out there yesterday and showed me where the tree is. The nest is really high up there and Mom and two babies were peeking out over the side down at us. Well, Mom was actually trying to sleep and one of the babies wouldn't look at us, but the middle one stared straight at us with his round yellow owley eyes. The babies are very downy looking and shaped kind of like cartoon penguins.
It was so nice outside yesterday and the sun was shining so the babies were pretty visible. I went back again today in much colder, grayer and windier weather and the babies were more huddled down below the brim of the nest. Mom (I am assuming it was Mom) was perched in a nearby tree, once again apparently trying to get some sleep as her eyes were closed tightly. These are some big, big birds. It's a real treat to get to see them and a good time of year as the trees haven't leafed out yet. I hope to go back at least a few more times before the trees fill in and/or those big fuzzy babies fledge.
