Wildlife in the park

the view out the window by our table
 

Our current stay is at Goose Island park, which is run by La Crosse county and very popular.  It's situated on the backwaters of the Mississippi River and has an abundance of water fowl and other animals.

this is in the more wooded section of the park

When I look out the window by my table I can see the river and the bluffs beyond that.  We are surrounded by the sights and sounds  of red wing blackbirds, geese, egrets, herons, woodpeckers and the most exciting...owls.

Waldo the baby owl
 

There is a great horned owl with two (maybe three) babies in a nest here in the park.  The one is literally "out on a limb" and his name is Waldo.

He had fallen out of the nest and was on the ground for two days, during which the mother would swoop and attack anyone that went near him. 

Mama and the other little owl

Finally he was rescued by the proper authorities and after receiving xrays to make sure he was okay, he was placed back near the nest.  He wasn't put into the nest for fear that the prescence of a human that close would cause the others to bolt as well.

Waldo started yawning - must be bored watching all of us

A man who had seen the process described how the mother stayed on her perch, about 8 feet above the branch, and watched while the ladder was braced against the tree and Waldo was carried to his newest perch.

Apparently she feeds at night and has been seen providing food to Waldo first and then to the other (or others...jury is out on this) one in the nest.

There has been a faithful gathering of photographers watching this family but if it appears it is causing stress to them, they all back off and leave or at least go sit in their cars to watch.  The local camera club is very much into wildlife and nature photography and respects the limits of those who provide these opportunities.

We're thinking the little one might be gone by next weekend, so I'll be watching daily and keeping you posted.

Long Live the Queen of Owls