THE GREAT HORNED OWL THAT I WATCHED FROM WOSNIG ROAD TWO WEEKENDS IN A ROW. I TOOK THIS PHOTO ON SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 2022.

A Great Horned Owl Makes Me Happy & A Fledgling Story

Early June of 2022 in Central Texas was hot and, for the most part, dry.  As a result, the bird watching in my neck of the woods was definitely subpar, and not what I was hoping for.  But that changed on the morning of Sunday, June 5, 2022…


A GREAT HORNED OWL MAKES ME HAPPY


A big part of my 2022 Post Pandemic Improvement Plan (PPIP) is trying to ride my bicycle early each morning.  When I purchased my new bike this Spring, I included a case that mounts behind the seat that was large enough to carry my P1000 camera, and I carry that camera with me each time I ride.  The “Bike Birding” was abysmal during the month of May and the early part of June, 2022– I wasn’t seeing hardly any birds each morning, just a couple of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers that were hanging around on Lakeview Trail between the fields.

Most mornings I stick pretty close to home, riding a two mile loop out to FM 725 and back.  I avoid the roads that are accessed from FM 725– they are too busy and dangerous for this old man.  But on the weekends, I enjoy riding out Shortcut Road to Highway 78, then hopping over to Wosnig Road, which I ride until it makes the jog at Pioneer Road, where I usually  turn around.  On Sunday morning, June 5, 2022, I spotted a large bird perched on one of the high steel powerline towers about a half mile down Wosnig Road.  At first I thought it was probably a Black Vulture, but as I drew closer, I could tell that the posture was not right for a Vulture.  My excitement mounted with each turn of the wheel and before I new it I was close enough to see the tell-tale “horns/ears” of a Great Horned Owl.  This beautiful specimen was very cooperative, and allowed me to watch for about 20 minutes.  I was so surprised to see this bird!  I had rode this road many times and had never seen an owl, or considered the area as suitable owl habitat.  This unexpected encounter really boosted my spirits, and on the ride home, the pedals were light as feathers!  Here are a few of the pictures I took that morning.  

I ALWAYS TAKE MY CAMERA ON MY MORNING BIKE RIDE BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU MIGHT RUN INTO A BEAUTIFUL BIRD LIKE THIS GREAT HORNED OWL.
A LITTLE DIFFERENT VIEW OF THE GREAT HORNED OWL NEAR WOSNIG ROAD.
UNFORTUNATELY THE GREAT HORNED OWL DIDN'T LOOK MY WAY WHILE HE WAS PERCHED IN A TREE.

The next weekend (Saturday, June 11, 2022 to be exact), found me out on Wosnig Road once again.  I could see that the steel tower where I had seen the owl the previous weekend was unoccupied on that morning.  But when I got to the area where I had shot photos the week before, I stopped my bike and began to scan the area, looking for my friend the Great Horned Owl.  In short order I spotted him sitting peacefully on top of a wooded telephone pole not far from the steel tower.  You had to really be looking to spot him, because even at fairly close distance he just looked like part of the pole.  Once again he was cooperative and we enjoyed our time together– what a wonderful morning!

MY SECOND TIME TO SEE THE GHO ON WOSNIG ROAD. THIS TIME HE WAS PERCHED ATOP A WOODEN POLE.
THE GHO I HAVE BEEN SEEING ON WOSNIG ROAD IS DIFFICULT TO SEE FROM A DISTANCE WHEN HE SITS ATOP THE WOODEN TELEPHONE POLE-- HE LOOKS THE SAME WIDTH AS THE POLE.
ANOTHER SHOT OF THE GHO AND THE WOODEN POLE THAT HE USES AS CAMOUFLAGE.

A FLEDGLING STORY

 

Shortly before 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 5, 2022, I went to the back door of our home, intending to see if there were any “hot spots” in the yard that needed watering after a long hot day of sun. As I approached the door, something sitting on the back of one of the chairs on the porch caught my eye.  At first glance, it looked like a small pathetic bird.  But upon closer inspection, I realized it was a beautiful Great Crested Flycatcher fledgling.  I went and got my camera and, as quietly as I could, opened the back door and began to take photos of the fledgling.  It was soon apparent that this little guy was not afraid of me being close to him.  He just sat contentedly as he watched me take his picture.  After taking a number of pictures, I went inside and googled “what to do if you find a fledgling by himself”.  The answer, as I expected was “leave him alone”.  When I went back to the porch, he was gone.  I looked all over the porch, the deck, and the nearby beds and could find no sign of him.  As I was searching, I realized that there were two Great Crested Flycatchers flying from perch to perch in the backyard pecan trees, loudly calling as they flew about.  I suspect they were looking for their wayward fledgling, or perhaps trying to protect him.  I watched them for quite a while before the fading light ushered me back inside the house.  But I really enjoyed watching them, and getting to meet their offspring, up close and personal!

MY NEW FRIEND, A FLEDGLING GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER.
I THINK THIS FLEDGLING GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER WAS FASCINATED BY HIS IMAGE IN THE WINDOW GLASS ON MY BACK PORCH.
ONE OF THE GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHERS THAT LOOKED AFTER THE FLEDGLING ON MY BACK PORCH.
ANOTHER OF THE ADULTS THAT STAYED HIGH IN THE PECAN TREES. I SUSPECT THEY HAVE A NEST NEARBY.