Here's a link to a photo of the nest tree, taken by Peter Barveots. The nest tree sure is bare and unprotected!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lookseeseen/7058753277

Hi nightowl Thanks for bringing the link to the owl attack here for us to see. I was reading the chat yesterday while I was watching the cam for a bit and they were saying that it would be available today. Very interesting--poor Mom!! I understand that the attacks were early in the morning at about 4:30AM. It's hard to believe that she didn't break any of her eggs the way she hopped up and actually stepped on some of them.

It is a bare tree...they call it a snag--it's deader than a doornail just like the tree that the Sidney nest was in. It makes you wonder how it's still standing!!

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 2012

THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2012

SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2012

All images copyright Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Saturday afternoon
3:10 Up for an egg roll

All images copyright Cornell Lab of Ornithology

What a beautiful bird, I'm guessing this is Pa

All images copyright Cornell Lab of Ornithology

SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2012

All images copyright Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Hey Gail!

I think you're right about your second s'cap being Dad...he still has his nuptial plumes. They are beautiful birds, aren't they? I love the long feathers they have.

Well...the Great Horned Owl struck again for the third time. I can't decide if the GHO is going after Mom, or if maybe he's trying to drive them out of his territory. With an owl's night vision, I think if he wanted to grab Mom, he would have, but on the other hand, maybe he just missed his mark. Whichever, I'm glad he missed!

Cornell Lab of Ornithology reviewed the tapes and here's the video they posted of the attack.

Great Horned Owl's Third Attack on the Great Blue Heron Nest

Howdy!

Dad is up rolling the eggs and fluffing up the nest right before Mom comes home to take over. Those aren't cracks or pips in the eggs...just dirt.

Dad...



© Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Mom on the nest, looking slightly agitated, and Dad on the outer branch. I wonder if Dad is there to protect Mom and the nest in case the Great Horned Owl makes an appearance.



© Cornell Lab of Ornithology