Baby birds are always adorable but this branchling Northern Pygmy Owl is just too cute. We spent several hours one afternoon this past July watching and photographing this little one and its sibling in a wooded area just up the road from Santa Rita Lodge near the Madera Canyon Picnic Area in Arizona. We observed them for several hours. What an experience to witness these small owls take their first uncertain steps onto the branches and to finally fledge and fly. The first flight attempts for each of the tiny owls ended in their dangling upside down from twigs or wire fences but they managed to free themselves and find the security of a branch to sit on. Finally, the parent Northern Pygmy Owls arrived to check on their offspring and to feed them a large lizard the father brought.
Carol, Now this as a cute cuddly little owl. Great shot.