The back country is wet, which does not encourage one to go off trail. Twice in the past three days I have visited Sax-Zim Bog and the water next to the dirt roads is amazingly deep. The reason for my visits is we are now entering the time period when both Great Gray Owls and Barred Owls have their owlets hatch, which means both species often hunt well after sunrise. While I have not seen any Great Grays (bummer) I have found the same exact Barred Owl twice. At this point I do not know if it is a younger owl that did not mate this year, or whether a nest is in the vicinity. Regardless here are a few pics from Sunday morning when the yellow globe came out briefly.

Barred Owl at Sax-Zim Bog

In the sun …

The clouds returned …

Who Cooks for You (the video … link for email subscribers)

I also watched this Chestnut-Sided Warbler (and a whole bunch others) near my home

Here is a timeline for Great Gray Owls which I put together. It assumes a nesting date of May 1st (adjust earlier or later based upon your own sightings). Shortly after hatching the views of Poppa GGO with the need to hunt increase.

Nesting Date: May 1

• Incubation Time: 30 days (End on June 1st)
• Time in Nest: 28 days (End on June 28th)
• Exploring on Ground or Snags near nest: 7 to 14 days (End on July 4th to 11th)
• Flight (Start July 4th to 11th … mid July)
• Independent by late Summer