Tawny Frogmouths

No, they are not owls, although they do look like them. They are Australian Tawny Frogmouths and although related to owls, their closest relatives are oilbirds, pootoos, owlet-nightjars and true nightjars.
A pair chose to build a nest in a tree in my yard, produced two eggs and sat on them for a month. From laying the eggs, raising the chicks and then finally to the babies spreading their wings and flying off, took two months. They got used to me being around every single day, taking photos of each stage of the chicks' development, allowing me to get quite close. Here is a proud Dad with his kids; Mum was away looking for food.
As the babies grew, I was constantly warding off big birds looking for a tasty meal - magpies were the worst offenders but the babies made it and I feel privileged to have watched the whole event take place in my garden, with a successful outcome. I'm now an empty nester (literally)!
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