Athena Takes A Drink From The Pond During Incubation Break | Wildflower Center Great Horned Owl Cam

During an incubation break, Athena quenches her thirst with a drink from the pond below her nest site at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Great Horned Owls are mostly nocturnal birds. So far, we've seen Athena spend the daylight hours on the nest incubating while the Wildflower Center is bustling with visitors. As night falls and the visitors head home, it's the owls' turn to explore their territory. One of the benefits of having a camera with night vision is that we get to see snippets of what the owls are up to when they are most active!
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About "Athena" and the Wildflower Center Great Horned Owls
For more than a decade, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas, has been home to a nesting pair of great horned owls. The female, who they have affectionately named Athena, nests right above the entrance to the courtyard in a sotol planter. When conditions are right and her eggs hatch into owlets, she provides a rare opportunity to view a wild great horned owl rearing her young.
Great Horned Owls are fierce predators that hunt a diverse assortment of prey. They are generally nocturnal hunters, but will also hunt in broad daylight. Throughout the nesting period, the owls may arrive at the nest site with meals of small- to medium-sized mammals, reptiles, fish, and birds of all sizes.
Female Great Horned Owls spend most of the time at the nest caring for eggs and owlets while males hunt for food. After fledging, young may remain with their parents for 3-4 months before dispersing from natal territories.
About the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Named the Botanic Garden of Texas by the state legislature, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center welcomes almost 250,000 people to its gardens annually, fulfilling its mission to inspire the conservation of native plants through research, conservation, education, and horticultural programs. The Wildflower Center is part of the University of Texas Field Station network and is the embodiment of Mrs. Johnson’s environmental legacy, a fact she recognized by noting, “Our Center works for more than the lovely blossoms in our open spaces. We are concerned for all of North America’s native plants, from the smallest sprout to the tallest tree.”

[@annemarieelizabethrosevolo4366]

Athena is beautiful. Good Night Athena.

[@oldspecviews]

Eyes are so mesmerising Owls remind me of how beautiful nature is.

[@lorijackson3905]

Just a sip❤👍✌️😎

[@theck672]

Thank you for this video and the detailed description about Athena and her home. What an unusual location for her nest. 🪺 I love this fabulous video! Athena is really special! Thanks for sharing a bit of her incubation and seeing her get a drink. Never seen an owl 🦉 do that before. Thanks Cornell! ❤️🙌👏🏻👏🏻🙌❤️🦉🪺❣️❣️❣️

[@ohprudence]

I love her graceful talons

[@juliebirb7162]

Great post. Me too.❤

[@user-yk8vs5qd2i]

Красоточка

[@sharonkernerman6927]

Such a pretty nest.
Looks cozy and safe.

[@pattimiller9157]

Beautiful girl ❤❤❤

[@juliebirb7162]

SHE IS SO CUTE ❤

[@sandramyer7081]

Must be thirsty- found some water in the pond- Great Owl is at night

[@mardeseo]

Curious about the male whereabouts too 🤔

[@user-kq3zt1zv4q]

Easy snow 95

[@NEW_FILMS_2024]

Busy elk 81