Revisiting Las Gallinas

The past two weeks at work have been a joy and for several reasons.

Reasons relevant to Camera Trapping Campus readers would be the explosion of life alongside Las Gallinas Creek.

First came the discovery of a hummingbird nest on the lower branches of the Great Horned Owls nesting tree.

just above eye level next to the trail


feeding

Two chicks were barely staying inside the nest when I first observed them. The next day, when I came with my camera, they had fledged and I was lucky enough to still see one of them begging for food on a nearby branch.

The previous stars of the show are growing up fast, too.

c'mon look at these two


preen

Conversations with visiting birders revealed that another nest is in the next tree over - inhabited by a woodpecker family.

waiting for an appearance

Though I have seen them fly in and out, I have yet to get a good shot of either parent or young.

Oh, and there is a Western Bluebird nest in the Owl's tree, too!

It is incredible that so much life can happen alongside a parking lot.
To quote one of our classroom maxims: "Be aware of the world around you."
Slowing down one's pace and gaze for the owls revealed a rich world all within 15 feet.


****5/2 Update****
Over the weekend, crows knocked one of the owlets out of the nest and into the creek. Kind folk took the owlet to Wildcare and it is going to be ok. Mom and the remaining owlet are still in the area, so the injured owlet will be returned to its family soon.