Category Archives: Year 10

Frank Lake, Alberta Birds and Water

Year 10

I am working through bird photos from my great trip to Frank Lake, Alberta. As noted in my prior post, the key is the fantastic wetlands and lake (just saved from a HUGE power plant development). Anyhow, here is the next to last post about Frank Lake birds.

Yellow-Headed Blackbird (posturing for a mate)

Barn Swallow (getting nesting material)

Swainson’s Hawk (sunset and defense of a kill)

Lesser Scaup (a pair ready to nest)

Wilson’s Phalarope (spins in a tight circle to create a whirlpool sucking bugs to the surface)

FuzzBall has Fledged!

Year 10

Not only is FuzzBall alive (see yesterday’s post), but the little owlet is now fledged! At 6:15 am this morning I found the Great Horned Owlet across the  creek way up high in an extremely tall white pine tree. The only way to reach the perch FuzzBall is using today is via “flight mode”. The day an owlet fledges is a HUGE accomplishment, and soon it must start learning how to hunt.

The two images given below were taken about 2 minutes apart. A distances of about 125 yards separates the two owlets today. Momma Owl tends to find perches where she may watch both of her youngsters. Poppa Owl normally dekes the crows away from the area. In addition to crows, FuzzBall learned this morning what it was like to have a Merlin take two dive bombing runs at it.

FuzzBall Fledged in White Pine Tree

Meanwhile junior is still only branching back in the nest tree. I estimate junior is about 5 to 7 days younger than FuzzBall.

Junior Branching in Nest Tree

FuzzBall is Alive!!!

Year 10
FuzzBall is Alive!!!!!!!
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After getting home late last night from the Canadian Rockies, I knew I had to find the owls for my grandchildren who are visiting this weekend. Thus by 5:15 am this morning (4:15 Mountain Daylight) I was hiking …
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1. Owlet (Junior) branching up high in white pine by nest
2. Momma across creek up high in white pine watching Junior
3. Wait! Second Owlet down low in white pine next to creek!
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Yes … Two Owlets!!! FuzzBall is alive.
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Apparently two weeks ago when I found FuzzBall at 5 am on the ground, and then returned 15 minutes later to discover an explosion of white feathers, I incorrectly assumed FuzzBall met its demise to a local fox. What must have happened is Momma Owl delivered breakfast in that 15 minutes, and then FuzzBall must have jumped over the side of the ravine. Look out below! FuzzBall must have been hiding down next to the creek for the past two weeks. Now, the youngster is finally “branching” and I rediscovered the owlet. Life is good! (in many ways). FuzzBall is still way below the original nest, but the owlet is now up in a white pine about 20 feet off the ground. Yippee!
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Here is a photo of Fuzzball, and an image of Momma Owl with Junior (photos taken seconds apart).