Twin Lakes Open Space draws birders from across Colorado, highlighted by a well-established Great Horned Owl nest. Most years a mating pair successfully reproduces, a cycle that can be witnessed up close. Twin Lakes Open Space is also home to osprey, herons, pelicans, eagles and burrowing owls. The Great Horned Owl is a protected species and great care should always be taken when observing the nest.

Great horned owls are capable of taking down large raptors such as osprey and other owls

Great horned owls typically lay 2-4 eggs each breeding season, though all seldom survive to adulthood

Facial disc feathers help funnel sound to the owl's ears and improve hearing

Cormorants are heavy-boned birds with less preen oil than one might expect; both attributes help it dive deeper for food

Great horned owls will nest in tree cavities and other natural features, but won't hesitate to re-use and refurbish an abandoned nest

Great horned owl eggs incubate approximately 35 days before hatching

A female Great Horned Owl keeps watch over her chicks from a nearby tree

A great blue Heron searches for fish in west Twin Lake

The mother takes a rare moment of rest - She will feed her two owlets for 80 to 90 days before the babies are ready to leave the nest

An Osprey takes a break before heading back to fish at west Twin Lake

After the first owlet fledged, the second one prepares to make the leap - it fledged shortly after this photo was taken

As Turkey Vultures soar overhead - the baby owls take comfort in each others' presence

The head of a Great Blue Heron at Twin Lakes - their beak is prime for spearfishing

The babies can barely keep their eyes open - drifting in and out of sleep (the one on the right is sleeping)

Mother owls can reach two feet high and have a wing span of five feet across

Great Horned Owls weigh about 3.5 pounds and can take down prey 3x their own body weight

Great Horned Owls are often referred to as Winged Tigers for their superb hunting skills

The baby owls will eventually drop from the nest and are guarded by their parents until they can fly