Great Horned Owlets - II.

The last time I saw Great Horned babies they were very small, but they have since grown and right now barely fitting in the nest.

There are three babies in the nest and they are all have different personalities.  Some are more curious and active, others are quiter.

The mother stays with her babies day and night, and the father brings food. Thus, the baby owl above was lucky to get a mouse for breakfast which it swallowed very quickly.

Generally, life is good.

Mother is Coming Back

 

From time to time the female Great Blue Heron left the nest and her young.  When she came back, the chicks always stretched out their thin long necks in anticipation of food. 

Life goes on.

  

Female Great Blue Heron and Her Four Babies

 

Yesterday I visited the Great Blue Herons rookery again and this time it looked differently.  Two nesting sites were abandoned and one nest was not completed  and a lone Heron stood on it. 

What's happened?  Why did some Herons leave their nests?  I wish I had answers...

Even though I was sad I was happy that most of Great Blue Herons had already babies.

This Heron family has four chicks that are two weeks old and will stay in the nest for 41 to 81 days, being fed and cared by their parents.

Let's see what is going on under our nest.

Looking down the chick tries to balance raising its small, undeveloped wings.  This chick was the bravest of the whole brood. 

Life goes on.

Western Grebes. Tender Moments - I.

Grebe chicks can swim within hours of hatching but they depend on their parents for food for almost three months.  A female Grebe stay around with her babies  for a long time and often take them for a nice ride on her back.

Generally, life is good!

Salty Sunday - II. It's Time to Fly Back

 

From time to time Avocets took off and circled in the air and immediately returned to their babies. It was a warning and at the same time a displeasure that I was nearby.

Avocets are so elegant in flight.

Landing is very careful and well thought out.

The baby is safe and sound. He knows that his parents won't leave him for long.

Generally, life is good!

Salty Sunday - I.

 

I do believe in luck and also believe that even the most not so great circumstances can in matter of seconds turn into a good luck. 

The muddiest area on Antelope Island usually harbor clouds of gnats especially when it's getting hot. That Sunday was breezy and gnats were not vicious.  It was luck. 

I greeted the breeze (didn't have a choice), the dense clouds and gnats and started to photograph a family of Avocets with their babies not expecting much.

  

The babies moved so easily in the muddy salty water but their mama was often sinking in the mud and then moved with lumps of mud stuck to her feet.

It's time to join mama and stay close to her.

The little ones wandered around but when mom decided it was time to leave this place and go in search of food elsewhere, they surrounded her like little fluffy balls and followed her relentlessly.

Generally, life is good!