Happy Family

Well, I couldn't resist going back to visit the barred owl family!  They're absolutely fascinating to watch. We have so much material that the SDP Editor-in-Chief lifted our standard guidelines and today we're having a Monday Special, posting not one but three photos plus a video. 

I arrived at the park early in the evening Saturday when the sun was still up (these owls, though, like to roost in the shade, so it will forever be a lighting challenge with them).  Two other photographers as well as a very pleasant local couple were on hand watching the family.  The adult owl (we're all assuming it's the mother) didn't seem to mind us at all. (This is a stark contrast to the behavior of red shouldered hawks which will dive bomb interlopers until they leave the nest area.) The mama owl sat in a tree by herself, and at one point flew to a branch just 10-15 feet from me.  Isn't she gorgeous?!  Her markings blend right in with the tree and surrounding area.  She didn't appear upset that her two little ones were crying for dinner in two separate trees nearby.

This fuzzy little guy was making most of the racket. Absolutely adorable, isn't he?! I can't help but smile looking at him.  He was quite curious, craning his head down to watch those who were watching him.  At one point, he even splayed his entire fluffy body on the branch and peered below to see what was going on.

And, this is mama with the other little one.  She flew over for a visit and the baby seemed fairly content since she was so close.  That is, until its sibling would cry (as you can hear on the video below) then, occasionally, this one would join the pathetic cacophony wondering when dinner would be served. 

It's amazing something so fuzzy and cute can make such a screeching sound. The SDP crew is having a great time with this family.  So much, that we ended up going back last night too.  We have oodles of pics to go through…including some close encounters with mama and one of the babies. It's remarkable to experience this young bird of prey family up close and in the wild.  An added bonus to all this has been meeting a really nice couple who are locals and are as excited about observing the owl family as I am.  Welcome to SDP, Janie and Joe!  Hope everyone has a terrific Monday.

Wild Boar

This is the family of wild boar I spotted at Myakka State Park Friday night and mentioned to a birding couple (who in turn tipped me off to the awesome family of barred owls). Usually, the boar are off the beaten path, deep in the woods rooting around in thick palmettos or tall grass, so they're not easy to see. Rarely do they lift their heads from their foraging, which makes it challenging for us wildlife photographers to get a snout shot.  (See post about the SDP Editor-in-Chief's 2013 "Snout Edict" here.) So, I was surprised to see this family in the open right off the main road in the park.  (The little off white blob left of center is a baby boar.)  They were at least 75-100 yards away and as noisy as can be...ripping, chomping and snorting at the ground. The distance was good for safety but not so good for executing that perfect snout shot.  One of these days, I'll capture it.  

You Don't See Us!

At the end of Bee Ridge Road, you'll find Rothenbach Park, which used to be a landfill. I checked it for the first time last week and encountered lots of signs notifying visitors that deer are common here. It was dusk and I was vigilant looking for deer as I walked and walked. Naturally, at the very end of my journey, when the sunlight was less than optimal, I noticed these three cute faces staring at me as if they were thinking, 'You don't see us!' I had to really bump up the ISO for this shot --- but, I got 'em. So, the signs are accurate -- there are deer in Rothenbach Park!

Grazin' in the Grass

This is the other side of Sarasota!  Driving along University Parkway at dusk, I had a feeling I was going to see something photo-worthy.  Sure enough...I spotted light brown out of the corner of my eye --- three deer enjoying dinner in a grassy meadow.  I later discovered the next road a block away is called Deer Drive.

Watery Wednesday: No Oil

This white ibis was hunting in the early evening along the pristine shore of Sarasota Bay at South Lido Park.  Not only is its beak impressive, so is its claw.  What a goofy looking bird, yet so photogenic!  Still no oil sightings in Sarasota, thank goodness.  Visit Watery Wednesday to see more images from around the world.

Diggin' In

I guess this is the wildlife version of dumpster diving!  This squirrel was so absorbed in what it was doing, it really didn't care what I was doing.  This photo was taken at Ken Thompson Park on City Island in Sarasota.  It's popular with animals and humans alike.