Great Horned Owl's Nest

Our visit to the Great Horned Owl nest on Friday with friend Lynda Pauley (of Prairie’s Edge Art Studio) revealed just how fast these chicks are growing.
This is a look a week prior….we were barely able to see the fuzzy heads popped up in the nest.

One week later here’s what we saw….

Can’t wait until this week’s visit!

Swan Wars

We headed out Friday morning on our usual drive…..stopping at Old Reid first. That was a good decision, since we were able to witness some interesting swan behavior.
The resident pastor Mute Swans were defending their territory from another pair, which we had seen fling in from over the lake a bit earlier. David was able to get some great shots of the flyover.

This swan is going after one of the intruders….he’s leaving a wake!

He’s showing his stuff after chasing off the other swans.

Once the intruders were gone, our resident swans met up to congratulate themselves.

Golden Crowned Kinglet

Here’s a cute little harbinger of spring…..a Gold Crowned Kinglet!
I was watching some ducks, when I heard a familiar call from the nearby brush.

Ross' Goose

This goose was cohorting with some geese at SR 334 and Middle Urbana Rd in Clark County….not sure if it is a Ross’ or a Ross’/Snow Hybrid. I will post to the Ohio Bird List for an ID.

Grebes & More

What a beautiful day! It was a welcome change to be able to get out and enjoy the weather for a change.
We headed to Old Reid this morning, where we photographed 3 Pied-Billed Grebes….

Then on to the Buck Creek Marina, where we saw numerous Horned Grebes, including the fellow in good plumage….

Here’s a few other favorite shots from today….

Vultures & More

Here’s a couple of shots from our weekend jaunts.
In Champaign County we came across this Turkey Vulture feasting on a raccoon carcass. David was able to isolate the scavenging bird. Nature isn’t always pretty…..

More of his friends were joining the feast….I love the way David was able to get this shot showing the full wing extension!

In Old Reid Park, the Belted Kingfisher was enjoying the sun on Friday….

This fellow was at Buck Creek State Park….

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Great Horned Owls

Lynda Pauley, of Prairie’s Edge, contacted us to let us know that she had seen a Great Horned Owl in the previous year’s Red Tailed Hawk nest. We took some time on Friday afternoon to head out to Lynda’s to take a look, and were able to get good looks at the nest and the owl. We were careful to stay far enough away not to disturb her. We’ll plan on checking the nest again in the next couple of weeks….hopefully with better lighting so we can get some good images to show the progress.