by Skip Via
skip@westvalleynaturalists.org

A pair of great horned owls nest near my home between West Valley and Farm to Market roads. Each year, we see 1-3 juveniles (and at least one adult) in the ponderosa pines in our yard. From there they can watch for voles and gophers in the agricultural fields next to our property. We find lots of owl pellets and more than a few feathers–especially the downy ones that are dropped as the juveniles mature.

Here are a few images. (Photos and videos by Skip Via)

Here is a video of three juveniles sheltering in a rainstorm, which gets quite heavy toward the end.

And another video that shows the downy feathers of a newly fledged juvenile.