Chatfield State Park

Checked into the campground at Chatfield State Park in Littleton, CO (Site 160); will stay tonight before bringing my Airstream to the dealer tomorrow morning. While walking the campground in the afternoon, I noticed a great-horned owl flying low over the campground with a rabbit in its talons; it swooped abruptly up into a pine tree. It is uncommon for most owls to be flying about with prey in daylight hours but this time of year, owls and other raptors have young so I took a closer look at the tree and discovered two fledgling owls.

In talking to the Park Rangers, it was evident they were not aware of the owl nest so I suggested they close the campsite where the nest tree is located. It is doubtful the parents would abandoned the young at this stage; however, it isn't impossible. Like other owls, great-horn owl fledglings not infrequently leave the nest before they can fly and end up on the ground below the tree. By testing their wings or just because they become too large for the next and are a bit clumsy; it is not uncommon to find great-horned fledglings on the ground before they can fly and fend for themselves. It is at this time well-meaning humans come across the owls and try to "help" by rescuing the owls. Not surprisingly, the owls don't recognize the intention and defend themselves. Once a great-horned latches its talons on a well-meaning human, it will not let go. I've had the talons of great-horned owls pierce my falconer gloves as well as the underlying leather glove liners. Hopefully, the owls will be left alone for the next several weeks while they learn how to fend for themselves.

Chatfield State park

West view of mountains from my campsite.

Fuzzy and cute but not to be messed with.