Found a new Owl Nest.

[Singletracklovr]

I’m guessing Great Horned Owl.
I just located this nest today. It’s 50-60 foot in the air with fields all around.
It did not fly away when I approached. I think it might be setting on eggs.







I am new to birding, if I visit this nest a couple times a week would I be putting the future baby Owls at risk?

[Grandpaw]

Bob, these look pretty sharp! Did you use your 70-300VR to take these? Jeff

[CaraRose]

Looks like a great horned to my untrained eyes. Great find!

[Singletracklovr]

Bob, these look pretty sharp! Did you use your 70-300VR to take these? Jeff

Hi Jeff,
The Ewe's and Yearlings I posted on another thread were taken with the 70-300VR

These shots I used my 300mm f4 prime and a 1.4x tele.

To try and improve my shots I have a few new rules for me.
No SP lower the 1/500
No f-stops smaller than f16
Jack the ISO up. I can deal with noise much easier than out of focus in PP.

Started using the monopod.
I'm just too old and shaky these days, even when I use a VR lens.haha



Hi CaraRose,
I am very new to birding. My wife bought me two books from the local birding store. We really have fun after a shoot looking up what I brought home and checking off the found birds.
I really hope I get to see babies, checking the nest twice a week since it's only 4 miles from my house. I also found a Redtail Hawk setting on eggs but the picture I took were so bad I did not post them :-(

[SARtech]

Cool! I have yet to find/see an owl. Think I need to look around a little harder.
Odd to see an owl in a nest. From what I know, they are fairly incapable of building a nest like that. It's probably a previous hawk or eagle nest. Also, I doubt if you will harm them from visiting. I think owls are more tolerant of people than other birds. You can even make/buy owl "boxes" in your back yard for their nests I hear. (I searched the internet for info) Of course, there is always the risk they will try to attack you if you're too close for comfort.

[Singletracklovr]

UPDATE:
I check this nest about every other day. I've never seen the nest unattended sun up to sun down also I have not seen the mate. Maybe Owl pairs don't stay together to rear their young.
I've also changed my viewing angle. Looking from the base of the tree was just not working. This seems to be my best vantage point. I am really hoping to see some baby owl-lings...

300mm f4 prime with 1.4x tele

[ksbryan0]

What a great find Bob! I have only found owls nesting in the rafters of dark barns. You should be able to get some great pix of the young'ns growing up soon.

[PWhite214]

And cool photos too. Who put the pillow in the nest

I am enjoying watching them on here, thanks.

Phil

[CaraRose]

Looks like you found a good angle to shoot owlets from when they arrive

[paulnj]

That male is within sight of the nest mostlikely. Owls feed at night and that is when he is actively feeding her.