Barred owlet, Golden Gardens Park

Most months, I participate in Seattle Audubon's monthly bird count in Golden Gardens Park. This month, the count organizer suggested we show up early and check on the barred owl family breeding in the woods there. They have three owlets, all fledging and fluttering awkwardly between the trees.

The youngster was low on a maple next to the trail, constantly giving begging calls.
After a while, it hopped to the trail.

And into another tree.

Eventually, Mama owl arrived with something to eat. She passed the food to the owlet, and sat with it for a little while, before flying to a nearby branch.

Barred owl in Discovery Park

I heard a bunch of crows and Steller's Jays making a ruckus, so I knew there was something interesting around. Sure enough, there was a Barred Owl, in a hemlock next to the loop trail. It was fluffing up its feathers and occasionally snapping at crows who came too close. After a while, the other birds moved on.