I stopped by a local park to see if the great horned owl was nesting yet. There she was looking like she’s been sleeping for a while.
The park was pretty quiet except for the normal mallards mottled ducks (thanks to Wally for the correct ID. We get a lot more mallards than mottled here.)
And boring old warblers.
I saw this cormorant swimming way too close to the alligator.
Then I heard some commotion in the reeds near me and saw an otter with a fish. He saw me looking at him and moved around to the other side of the reeds where I couldn’t see him.
I moved around to the other end of the boardwalk and was able to see him but he was into the sun. He chowed down on that big fish for a few minutes before taking off.
Just a few things on my walk around a small park recently on a Saturday morning. I’ve seen otters there before but usually down in a little creek and they don’t hang around for a second. The above was out in the open lake but wanted to eat his fish in peace. After that last shot, he disappeared. I looked for him for a while but no sign of him again. I’m keeping my eye on that owl. Last year she had two babies so hopefully I’ll be able to watch more babies grow up this year.
Check out more pictures at Our World Tuesday 
Also, check out more birds at Paying Ready Attention for 
Wonderful shots! What a great photo of the owl! I’m quite jealous of the otter as he’s munching on one of my favorite fish, a speckled perch (officially a Black Crappie). Yum!
Amazing how well the owl blends into the tree. Great find on the otter with fish. Lots of great shots!
Love those otters!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
You always find something of great interest on your walks. Terrific shots of the owl and the otter.
Wow! Love the wildlife that you see and photograph so well ~ Wow! again ~ thanx ^_^
( A Creative Harbor) ^_^
It took me a second to spot the owl.
Nice shots!
The otter is so cute!
What a fab variety of critters you have to capture! Thanks so much for visiting. xo
Your blog is beautiful
Amazing shots
Céline & Philippe
I can’t remember when I last saw an Otter in the wild (particularly in daylight). Great views of it feeding.
I don’t think anyone could possibly have a better day of birding/wildlife watching. Wow!!!! Thanks for sharing this perfect walk.
Great photos and a very nice variety to see in the park. I especially like that owl sitting up there so relaxed. I hope she nests where you can keep a watch on her.
What fun!! Hanging out with an otter and a sleepy owl. Jealous.
Great shots, a lot to see in your post for WBW!
Well done!
How cool an owl and an otter. Great outing and sightings. Your photos are wonderful!
what a great set of images, i especially enjoyed the otter!!
Fabulous captures! The otter is awesome, and I kinda like the warbler.
Love the otter, Dina! And I hope Mama Owl has twins again. Last year’s were so much fun.
K
I think the owl and the otter may have made this a highlight day for 2013 for me – and it not February yet! Great pictures.
Cheers and thanks for linking to WBW.
Stewart M – Melbourne
You always have a neatest shots! LOVE LOVE LOVE the Owl and the Otter!
I love the pictures of the owl and warbler.
That incubating owl shot is great, nice composition…and otters, of course, are great.
Thanks for all of the comments! I’m going to check on Mama owl this weekend. Shout out to Wally for calling out those mallards were actually mottled ducks.
I always welcome suggestions and corrections. Thanks.
Nice post Dina! That’s what I loved about Florida, so much wildlife everywhere you look!