Yesterday, I finally got up into an old gnarly oak that's living right next to my house. I've put off climbing it cause my husband started to build a tree house in it (I tried, but could not dissuade him) and never finished it. The partially built platform makes it awkward to gain access. Anyway, I shot a line with my sidewinder and got a great setting in the top of the tree. My rope was hanging 8 or 10 feet off the trunk so it was an open air climb. This tree has lots of holes, nooks and crannies, so I was aware there could be critters living there and tried to climb as quietly as possible so as not to disturb anyone. As I came eye level (but not close up) with a fairly large tree cave, I looked in, and surprise! a baby owl! I snapped a couple of pics and climbed on. I was happy mom wasn't home.

The canopy of this tree will be great fun to play in - lots of potential for short and longer traverses. I didn't have a lot of time this trip (plus I wanted to get down before mom owl returned), but am looking forward to getting back in it once the little guy has had time to grow up.

Here are a few pictures:



Here's the tree cave


And the little guy


View through the top


Fun climb in a terrific tree and it's only yards from my house!

-Leslie

Hmmm, the pictures did not work -I'll try to get them on here tonight. Gotta get to work now!

-Leslie

Hey Leslie, you posted links to the pictures, I went to each link and right clicked on the photo and did "Copy Image Location" (I'm on a PC) then posted each of those below, put an IMG tag around each one.

Cool owl shot!
-AJ

Here are a few pictures:



Here's the tree cave


And the little guy




View through the top

what an awesome owl pic! did you know you had an owl that frequented that tree? I've seen one around my neighborhood but never have been able to see where it nests.

Hi Leslie,

What a great climb and how exciting to see a little owl. Very cute! I wish I had a tree in my own yard. I'd be in it every evening. What's to stop you from finishing the tree fort? Sounds like fun.

Thanks, AJ, for reposting the pics.

Patrick

AJ - Thanks soooo much for posting the pics!! Someday I'll figure out this whole embedding thing



We are surrounded by woods and hear hoot owls frequently, but I never have known where they nested. I kinda thought there might be something living in that hole but figured it would be a racoon or a possum. I was surprised to see that cute little owl face!

Patrick - My husband still says he's gonna finish it someday - we'll see - he's got a little bitty problem with ADD and I'm a really lousy carpenter! It is a great tree though, I can't believe it's taken me this long to get into it.

-Leslie

Climbing in your own yard or on your own land is the best!

Nothing better than walking out the back door and getting high (with a baby owl)!

Looks like you had a hoot!

Yes indeed, it was a hoot!