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This is the last shot I kept & processed from Screech Owl Nesting Season 2024. I still can't get over how goofy looking Frick turned out to be. Apparently, he was a good provider since they successfully raised & fledged babies. I hope they return next season.
Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio)
Garland, Texas
My photos can also be found at kapturedbykala.com
I was looking for her in one spot when something made me look up & she was literally right over my head. I moved out of the danger zone & took this shot. She was busy watching a squirrel.
Female Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio)
Garland, Texas
My photos can also be found at kapturedbykala.com
It seems like each day post fledging; I will see either Frick or Frack in the nest tree but never a baby. I'm just happy to still be seeing owls.
Female Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio)
Garland, Texas
My photos can also be found at kapturedbykala.com
The squirrel was coming up the branch in her direction & she was watching intently. When the squirrel finally saw her, it reversed direction immediately.
Female Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio)
Garland, Texas
My photos can also be found at kapturedbykala.com
Always at least one parent in the nest box tree where they have a direct line of sight to the box with babies. Very protective parents. Babies are starting to peek out in the daytime now but only the top of their head down to the top of the beak so far. Curious but not bold yet.
Female Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio)
Garland, Texas
My photos can also be found at kapturedbykala.com
Talk about your grumpy old man. I can think of several actors he reminds me of. Frick definitely married up.
Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio)
Garland, Texas
My photos can also be found at kapturedbykala.com
This is the first time I've seen both parents together, outside of the box. Caught them canoodling. Apparently Frack is very affectionate, it is always her preening him (have seen it on some videos in the front yard box.) She was grabbing his ear feathers at their base and preening up to the tip before letting go and getting another feather.
Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio)
Garland, Texas
My photos can also be found at kapturedbykala.com
Apparently, Frack does not appreciate having her preening session interrupted.
Female Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio)
Garland, Texas
My photos can also be found at kapturedbykala.com
I don't think she cared for the blue jay disturbing her nap. Those are some big eyes. That blue jay better sleep with one eye open tonight.
Female Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio)
Garland, Texas
My photos can also be found at kapturedbykala.com
Me too Frack, me too.
Female Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio)
Garland, Texas
My photos can also be found at kapturedbykala.com
This is the kind of view I get most of the time when I spot Frack in the tree.
Female Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio)
Garland, Texas
My photos can also be found at kapturedbykala.com
Enjoying a well-deserved break from the little ones.
Female Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio)
Garland, Texas
My photos can also be found at kapturedbykala.com
This morning I realized I had not seen Frack in the opening after her being there most of the day for several days prior. I have heard the next step is that the female is crowded out of the house but stays very close. Looked up in my pecan tree & there she was, maybe 20 feet from the nest box looking down at me. Not all that high either. Bright sunshine and dense foliage make photography challenging but this is one of the shots I took. Winking at me as though to say "Surprise!"
Female Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio)
Garland, Texas
My photos can also be found at kapturedbykala.com
On days 2 & 3 of the city nature challenge I tried to get a shot of Frack but never saw her. On the 4th & final day I had more luck. Two squirrels had a loud fight at the base of her tree. When I stepped outside to see what the ruckus was, I spotted Frack doing the same thing. She never looked at me, just kept her eyes on the battle below her. So, she got to be counted again for the challenge.
Female Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio)
Garland, Texas
My photos can also be found at kapturedbykala.com
iNaturalist is a website and app that identifies all living organisms for anyone who uploads a photo or sound file. Then their observation is added to a worldwide database that scientists and urban biologists can use to track, study and protect wildlife and plant life. Every year there is a worldwide challenge/contest where cities challenge people to get outside & take photos of nature for fun, learning and documenting their local biodiversity over a 4 day period. Results are posted & you can see where your city compares to others all over the world. Since this is my first time to have a resident owl in my owl box, I wanted Frack to be counted. On the first day of the challenge, she only showed herself once, but I was there with my camera & got this shot. Lol, that expression looks like she is saying: "There, are you happy now?"
Female Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio)
Garland, Texas
My photos can also be found at kapturedbykala.com
I can only guess at what is going on inside my backyard owl house. Frack has been in residence 28 days now. The pecan tree is leafing out, providing shade above her. For the first week she was in the opening most of the day, enjoying the warmth and view. Then she changed over to being out of sight all day and I would only see her maybe once, at random times. This behavior indicates she is sitting on eggs. On this day she peeked out at 5:19 pm. It was the only time I saw her that day and she was back inside within a minute. My first proof of babies will be when a cute, fuzzy bobblehead peeks out. I can't wait for that day. Fingers crossed.
Female Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio)
Garland, Texas
My photos can also be found at kapturedbykala.com
Zoom in on her eyes. They look like eclipse totality complete with the corona ring.
Female Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio)
Garland, Texas
My photos can also be found at kapturedbykala.com
Yesterday morning I went outside to say hello to Frack. However all her attention was on the squirrel foraging below her.
Female Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio)
Garland, Texas
My photos can also be found at kapturedbykala.com
Over the last couple of days, Frack has started staying out of sight inside the house more. I'm still hopeful but not holding my breath.
Female Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio)
Garland, Texas
My photos can also be found at kapturedbykala.com
This is how Frack greeted me at 7:17 am this morning. We have severe thunderstorms with possible large hail & tornados predicted for late this afternoon & evening. This owl house is in a protected spot on a large pecan tree trunk high up.
With her in the backyard house (no cameras & squirrel junk inside) I won't know if she is sitting on eggs, or we have any babies until a fuzzy little face peeks out several weeks from now. Fingers crossed.
Female Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio)
Garland, Texas
My photos can also be found at kapturedbykala.com