Treasure Hammock Ranch
January 31, 2008

Representatives from Pelican Island Audubon visited the Treasure Hammock Ranch under the auspices of Jens Tripson to investigate a report by Sean Sexton of a Great Horned Owl nest atop a palm tree located in a cow pasture. As we neared the nest the adult Great Horned Owls kept a watchful eye on us from their perches in the surrounding pine trees.

The Great Horned Owl nestling watches us warily from its unusual nursery. Great Horned Owls are loathe to make the effort to build their own nests so will steal other birds' nests or, failing that, will take advantage of any nestlike formation that suits their purpose. In this case the sheared off top of a dead palm tree formed a natural platform, which attracted these owls to use as a nest.
Palm trees silhouetted against the golden sunset. This view reveals the natural nest formed when the top of the tree fell away after the tree died from some unknown cause. The nestling appeared to be sleeping as dusk settled in.

Massive talons hold this vigilant Great Horned Owl atop a dead pine tree where it stands guard near the nest.

Thank you to Sean Sexton for sharing this unique discovery with us.
Images & text by Bob Montanaro.  
 
 
All images and text copyright Pelican Island Audubon Society.
E-mail: piaudubon@bellsouth.net