Mama Owl is Great

Yesterday, we decided to look for the Great Horned Owl that was reportedly nesting here at Fontainebleau State Park.  Early in the morning, I had gone down to the pier and seen Grey Pelicans, Killdeer, Tree Sparrows, and an unidentified hawk -- and heard an owl somewhere.

When I saw the camp hosts sitting on their four-wheelers talking, I asked them whether they knew where the owl was.  The guy from Minnesota said, "You mean, my owl?"  And before I knew it, we were following in the truck to the spot, not too far away, where we got out and walked to a viewing spot.  "She's right up there in the flat spot, see her?" he asked.  Here's what we saw -- it wasn't easy at first, and then you couldn't miss her.

The host explained that the owls have used this site in three out of the last four years (last year was apparently too wet and they went elsewhere.)  He thinks that one of her eggs has hatched since she has moved up slightly in the nest.  She was dozing when we saw her and once I got my scope out, both Mary and I, and some visiting Canadians, got great looks.  It was beautiful to see the tufts on her head waving gently in the breeze as she slept and every so often, she'd pop open an eye and check on her human spectators.  Last night, after dark with a full moon, we went back down and sitting in the dark truck nearby, could hear her sort of purr hooting sounds while a bit further off, her mate gave forth with a full Great Horned Owl series of hoots.  Quite a treat, and a life bird for me.

Here's closeup of her -- the "ears" are hard to miss once you spot them.

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Mississippi Birds

Tufted Titmouse

We stopped for two nights at Clarko State Park in Quitman, MS and ran into some nice birds.  The park was nearly vacant and birds were all over it -- this is a Tufted Titmouse that was around our site.

There were tons of Northern Cardinals and high in the trees, warblers.  Of course, I didn't have any better luck down south than I do in Vermont identifying them.

The first walk with Penny just before dark revealed this Great Blue Heron all hunched down, waiting.  The plumage was such that I was not sure what it was -- but saw it again the next day all stretched out, looking normal.

Mary and I went out together so that she could try out her new binoculars -- a Christmas gift -- and we practiced on Cardinals and a bouncy warbler.  The highlight was this cooperative Golden-crowned Kinglet which we watched from a viewing platform for some time.  He hopped around but much less frenetic than a warbler, and a great look for new birder Mary.

I saw several Grey Catbirds, a Red-bellied Woodpecker, Carolina Chickadees left and right, as well as others that I see regularly in Vermont.  The new camera is working well with the tele lens.

This morning I was treated to good looks at a Great Egret.  I got a bunch of shots -- this is one I particularly like. 

This afternoon, arriving at Fontainebleau State Park in Louisiana, we were met by two red-headed woodpeckers.  I hear there is a Great Horned Owl in the park with a nest and babies due any day.  Bodes well for good birding up ahead.