Owls at Honeymoon Island State Park

We love to walk at Honeymoon Island State Park this time of year. The eagles sit on their nest, or perch in nearby trees. The Great Horned Owls nested again this year, but the nest seems a bit more hidden than in years past. We joined some family members and went for the familiar walk, missing the owls on the way toward the eagle nest. Another reason I love Honeymoon Island State Park: the people. Visitors help other visitors find the nest, and share the nature news. A local photographer described to us where to find it, and once we did we helped a family with kids find it.

Karl's shot of the owl

The male owl sat up in a tree not too far from the nest, a feathery brown lump once you knew where to look. Karl shot some good photographs of him with his 70 – 200mm, a recent acquisition that he uses often now to get used to how it works. I scouted out other angles, and happened to be directly below the tree when a Northern Mockingbird took exception to the owl sitting there and started attacking him from the back. The owl ignored the first two strikes, but jumped and extended his wings on the third. He moved over one branch, which apparently satisfied the mockingbird, who flew away.

Getting away from the Mockingbird