Sometimes you have to get off the beaten path to find the reward.
The bush is full of fallen trees and stumps that can easily be tripped on…so a lot of time is spent looking downwards.

It’s a strange but exciting feeling when you pause to look around and see a Great Horned Owlet just staring at you.
This is a good sign since the young tend to hang out together…Mama Owl will be close by keeping an eye on things.

Like I’ve said before…always expect the unexpected.

Mr. Great Horned Owl stands guard close to the nest site. Perhaps more of a decoy for the Crows that will come by to mob him from time to time.
When this occurs he often flies off leading the Crows away from the nest area.

With the owlets now having all fledged…he’ll be kept busy keeping track of where they all are.
For the most part the young tend to stay together…but there’s always that one that like to hang out alone.

The Great Horned Owlets are becoming larger with each passing day it seems…won’t be long before they branch out.
Some may wonder what is meant by “branching out”?
This is a term used when the outlets simply leave the actual nest and perch on limbs in the tree where the nest is located.

This is the first step before they actual fledge.
Until they branch out its possible to see them on the edge of the nest stretching or flapping their wings…the nest is fairly large but if all 3 owlets decided to become active it may be a bit cramped for space.

Once they have fledged they will tend to hang out and perch together…will have to wait and see just how things turn out.