Spotted Owl Marin County 2011

April 6 The twins, Paul and Sean, have shown Sharon and me the hidden location. We are thrilled. Apparently these owls stay in this area year round.

May 13 Friday the 13th our lucky day! We see Mom owl feeding a chick? What is that fluff?

Chick in deep shade.

Mom turns and leaps to the other limb

Mom and chick are much lower on the tree--nest not quite visible at the top left

Spotted Owl and chick, San Rafael, California

Mom keeps trying to edge a way, but chick follows closely, if awkwardly . . .

Chick follows, but not all the way.

Could this be a chick? Or is it Mom's head?

He is handsome

As always, right next to the trunk of the tree--this time a Bay instead of a Redwood

Chick tries to follow Mom

Mom stretching . . .

Dad on a tree quite close by

Mom has moved out of the nest!

May 21 - First sight of chick out of the nest!

Dad's view of Mom and chick

Wings for balance!

Dad watching me--last photo for a while May 22

Chick stretching

Spotted Owl

San Rafael, CA, in May

Fluffball

Off Mom goes again - chick is not too happy

May 22 - Dad in the same place as yesterday

June 3, I find mom and chick on a low branch right near the path! Dark day, but they are close by. Chick has grown but is till a mass of fuzz.

Staring at me with those black beads!

Spotted Owl and chick, San Rafael, California

Suddenly after a rush of wings, I see mom on a tree just a few feet away!

Mom and chick are getting closer as I leave so that they have some quiet space.

It's very dark, so most motion is blurred . . .

Found Dad, in the shade right above me!

They are snuggled and mom is preening chick

Now for some preening