Owl & Kite

This morning's walk was quite interesting. Since the weather looked threatening I decided to stay close to home and so chose to walk the next street over from mine. I walk there from time to time and usually run into the usual mix of Blue Jays, Mockingbirds and squirrels but today I was was in for a treat. First, I spotted an animal on a well maincured front lawn under a live oak tree that was being harassed by Mockingbirds. From a distance I thought it was a furry cat that the birds didn't appreciate being in their territory but as I got closer I realized that it was a Barred Owl. I was able to walk to within 10 feet and could see that it was working a large puddle probably for tadpoles which seem to be everywhere lately. The Owl allowed me to observe it for a while and then flew up into the oak much to the dismay of the Mockingbirds. I decide to move on.

A few houses down I heard a high pitched whistle and observed a Crow sized bird maneuvering in the top of a good sized maple. Walking closer I was able to identify a Mississippi Kite with food in its beak work its way into the center of the tree and quickly depart without the food. I presume that I was observing a parent feeding its offspring but I couldn't see the young bird. There were Blue Jays milling about in the tree perhaps hoping for a free meal somehow or maybe tending to a nest of their own. I didn't have any optics with me so I couldn't get a close look but it was a delightful encounter, nonetheless.