Summary

A photographer documents the three-year journey of a pair of Great Horned Owls nesting in an ancient oak tree near their home, capturing intimate moments of their family life and the challenges they face in the wild.

Abstract

Over the span of three years, photographer Deborah Kunzie closely followed a pair of Great Horned Owls living in a nearby wooded area. These owls, known for their lifelong bonding, chose the same old oak tree as their nesting site each year. Kunzie's photographs, particularly from the third year, reveal the owls' family dynamics, including the protective nature of the female owl towards her hatchlings and the growth of the chicks into curious and playful young owls. The narrative touches on the harsh realities of nature when only one adult owl returns in the fourth year, leaving the survivor to seek a new mate. The images and story provide a unique window into the life of these majestic creatures, highlighting their nesting habits and the daily drama of their existence.

Opinions

The photographer expresses admiration for the Great Horned Owls' bond and their choice to return to the same nesting site each year.
There is a sense of wonder and respect for the female owl's protective instincts, which at times made photography challenging.
The anticipation and excitement of awaiting the hatching of the owlets and discovering the number of chicks each year is palpable.
The photographer conveys a deep connection to the owl family, having spent considerable time observing and documenting their lives.
There is a note of sadness when describing the loss of one of the adult owls, reflecting the fragility of wildlife relationships and the cycle of life in nature.

Three Years with a Pair of Great Horned Owls

a story from Florida…

A photographer doesn’t always have to travel far to find nature at work. It is an option of course but most of my photographic journey has always been pretty close to home. Such as the three years I spent in the woods almost daily photographing a pair of Great Horned Owls as these creatures bond for life as do Bald Eagles.

They kept coming back to the same old ancient oak tree year after year. Each day unraveling a new chapter in the saga of a family of winged guardians. And me as an observer armed with my camera.

The first year the couple only produced one chick. The second and third year, two. The photos shown in this story are the third and last year I spent with them. When the fourth year came about only one of the adults returned. It happens at times, and the remaining adult is left with the task of finding a new mate. Sad but that is nature.

Great Horned Owls do not build a nest like most other birds. They find a cavity in a tree and make that a temporary home.

This female was very protective of her young, shielding them with her wings and body at times which made it difficult to photograph. The anticipation of the hatchling and the suspense of whether there would be one or two chicks was what we waited for.

Soon I could see one and then…

there were two.

Day by day they grew and became more and more curious of their surroundings especially when mom would leave the nest in search for food.

It wasn’t too long before they began to notice they were the star of the show. When mom was away they wanted to play and show off but soon she would fly in and correct them. Great Horned Owls should be sleeping during the day but there was just too much around them to be bothered with sleeping.

and before long, instead of flying they thought it more fun to climg their way out!