Whitaker Ponds Nature Park

I have been seeing photos of Great Horned Owlets at Whitaker Ponds. I asked Christian if he could describe where I might find them and he was kind enough to send me a map.

It was perfect weather! I found the tree he said he had seen them in and I looked and looked and no owls! I saw some pellets under the tree so I figured I must be looking at the right tree.

I decided to walk around the pond and take another look when I got back.










On the trail I heard some hummer noise and looked up and saw this!! At first I saw two perched next to each other which is really rare, then I realized what was going on. An Anna's hummingbird fledgling was being fed by the mother!


I decided to wait and watch the fledgling and see if I could witness another feeding. This park is in a very industrial area and I was on one side of a fence and there was another fence behind the bird. The little guy looked like he was in prison in my photos.


I was able to move down the fence line and get a better view.


I waited about 15 minutes and I heard the mom coming. When the fledgling heard her he got really excited.











I continued around the trail. Back at the entrance a male Anna's Hummingbird was enjoying the quince.




I walked back to the tree where the owls were reported. Still no owls. I decided to start scanning other trees and I saw something that looked like a hornets nest, but instead it was a fluffy owl!



And then I saw two!




I was really excited to finally find them!

The weather was so pretty that I went over to Smith-Bybee Lakes too. I didn't see a lot, but it was a nice walk.








The turtles were out basking in the sun, just like I did when I got home.