Thanks to some thoughtful friends who invited me to see the great horned owls in their neighborhood park last year, I knew exactly where to find this intriguing bird of prey this year. I believe this is a yearling. I looked around for its mate but did not spot it. This bird is camouflaged well. The contrast of his colors blends perfectly with the surroundings. I was fortunate to have found it for a couple of reasons. I knew where they were last year and I patiently looked in the tree until I spotted its silhouette. I will return to this park frequently in the next few weeks to capture images of the mates and their owlets.

The great horned owl is the most common owl of North and South America. The owls are monogamous and typically have two eggs. Both the male and female incubate and the male hunts for food. They are fiercely protective of their young. I am grateful for these magnificent birds in nature and the gift they give us through observation.

A wise old owl sat on an oak; The more he saw the less he spoke; The less he spoke the more he heard; Why aren't we like that wise old bird?~anonymous

Peace.