NorCal Barn Great Horned Owls (Apr-May 2023)
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Over a span of 10 days in April 2023, I photographed a Great Horned Owl nest inside a Northern California barn. The barn was an open structure made of large wood beams and wood support. The roof and two sides were wrapped in corrugated aluminum sheets. The nesting site was high up along the northeastern wall where V-shaped support beams joined a larger, primary horizontal beam. Photographs were taken on the following dates:
April 4, 2023 – three medium sized owlets were found huddled together on the northern side of the nest. They were alert, eyes open and had whitish, “baby” feathers over their heads and backs.
April 5, 2023 – a single, adult owl was the only one visible. It was presumed to be an adult since it was larger and had no baby feathers anywhere.
April 8, 2023 – the three owlets were once again visible in the nest. One of them appears unable to open its left eye.
April 10, 2023 – there were three owls visible. Two large birds, that still had some of their baby feathers, left the nest itself and were perched together on the same beam as the nest. A third bird looked smaller and was near the nest, poking its head over a beam. This smaller owl also appears to be unable to fully open its left eye.
April 12, 2023 – two owls photographed. They were on the same beam but not next to each other. One of the pair had the left eye problem.
April 13, 2023 – only a single owl present. It was a large young owl with some downy feathers.
April 14, 2023 – No owls were left on the nest or its beam where all of them have been for the past 10 days. An adult owl was photographed at the opposite, south east side, of the barn.
April 24, 2023 – 4 owls, including 1 adult and 3 large owlets (same size as adult) were lined- up on exterior beam. One flew off into the barn and perched on pipe. Another flew into the barn and disappeared. This was our first sighting of all 4.
May 3, 2023 – There were 3 perched up in the eaves on a beam, backs against a wall. We think it was the 3 owlets. They were side by side, facing away from the wall.
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Read MoreOver a span of 10 days in April 2023, I photographed a Great Horned Owl nest inside a Northern California barn. The barn was an open structure made of large wood beams and wood support. The roof and two sides were wrapped in corrugated aluminum sheets. The nesting site was high up along the northeastern wall where V-shaped support beams joined a larger, primary horizontal beam. Photographs were taken on the following dates:
April 4, 2023 – three medium sized owlets were found huddled together on the northern side of the nest. They were alert, eyes open and had whitish, “baby” feathers over their heads and backs.
April 5, 2023 – a single, adult owl was the only one visible. It was presumed to be an adult since it was larger and had no baby feathers anywhere.
April 8, 2023 – the three owlets were once again visible in the nest. One of them appears unable to open its left eye.
April 10, 2023 – there were three owls visible. Two large birds, that still had some of their baby feathers, left the nest itself and were perched together on the same beam as the nest. A third bird looked smaller and was near the nest, poking its head over a beam. This smaller owl also appears to be unable to fully open its left eye.
April 12, 2023 – two owls photographed. They were on the same beam but not next to each other. One of the pair had the left eye problem.
April 13, 2023 – only a single owl present. It was a large young owl with some downy feathers.
April 14, 2023 – No owls were left on the nest or its beam where all of them have been for the past 10 days. An adult owl was photographed at the opposite, south east side, of the barn.
April 24, 2023 – 4 owls, including 1 adult and 3 large owlets (same size as adult) were lined- up on exterior beam. One flew off into the barn and perched on pipe. Another flew into the barn and disappeared. This was our first sighting of all 4.
May 3, 2023 – There were 3 perched up in the eaves on a beam, backs against a wall. We think it was the 3 owlets. They were side by side, facing away from the wall.
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