Drama on the Horizon?

Overnight photos of a Great Horned Owl at the Norfolk nest were captured by Joe Foreman. For those who have watched it does explain some of the alert posture being noted especially in the evening hours at the nest. Here are a few photos from last night, early Tuesday morning.

Here is some information I have gathered in relation to Great Horned Owls and Bald Eagles.
General information: Great Horned Owls do not build nests, but they will use the old nests of hawks, herons, eagles, and crows. They mostly use nests that were used by the red tailed hawk and regularly take over active nest of these species. Owlets have been known to be raised in the corner of an active bald eagles nest. There are usually 2-3 eggs laid from early January to February. After hatching the young owls often spend 10 days to 2 weeks on the nest protected by their parents until they are capable of fight.
info from

http://www.whozoo.org/Intro2001/verlcole/VBC_GreatHornedOwl.html
The Great Horned Owl is widely distributed throughout North America. From the Arctic, where it is almost white in color, the bird ranges as far south as Florida, Texas and Mexico. It often lives in deep pine, hemlock or spruce woods broken by hardwoods, and uses old nests of hawks, herons, crows or squirrels. Great Horned Owls may also displace bald eagles from their nests. These owls may begin nesting as early as February, even in northern parts of their range, and it is not uncommon to see the birds incubating eggs during snow storms.
http://www.acorndesigns.org/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=473

and the following info from
http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/american_bald_eagle.htm


Great Horned Owls sometimes compete for eagle nests. Owls breed before eagles do, so they try to move in before the eagles get there.
Great Horned Owls and mice also nest in the lower parts of a big nest made by eagles -- even when the eagles are using it!
Because of their size, adult Bald Eagles have very few predators. Some animals which attack eggs or nestlings include squirrels, Raccoons, Ravens, and Great Horned Owls.
Crows, which don't like any raptors, will harrass (bother) eagles, but rarely do any harm.

Great Horned Owls sometimes compete for eagle nests. Owls breed before eagles do, so they try to move in before the eagles get there.
Great Horned Owls and mice also nest in the lower parts of a big nest made by eagles -- even when the eagles are using it!
Because of their size, adult Bald Eagles have very few predators. Some animals which attack eggs or nestlings include squirrels, Raccoons, Ravens, and Great Horned Owls.
Crows, which don't like any raptors, will harrass (bother) eagles, but rarely do any harm.

TESORO FLORIDA EAGLE CAM

On a much cuter note take a look here at Tess and Oro as they chow down