Great Horned Owl

1/60s at f36.0, ISO:1000, Canon EOS-1D X w/800mm + 1.4 converter


The Great Horned Owl is a large owl native to the Americas. It is an adaptable bird with a vast range and is the most widely distributed true owl in the Americas. Owls have spectacular binocular vision allowing them to pinpoint prey and see in low light. The eyes of Great Horned Owls are nearly as large as those of humans and are immobile within their circular bone sockets. Instead of turning their eyes, they turn their heads. Therefore, their neck must be able to turn a full 270 degrees in order to see in other directions without moving its entire body. The Great Horned Owl will hunt at any time between dusk to dawn. It hunts the greatest variety in species and size of any bird of prey. Great Horned Owls are some of the earliest-breeding birds in North America. They breed in late January or early February and are often heard calling to each other in the fall, starting in October. There are usually 2 eggs per clutch. The incubation period ranges from 30 to 37 days. Brooding is almost continuous until the offspring are about 2 weeks old, after which it decreases. Young owls move onto nearby branches at 6 weeks and start to fly about a week later.
Scottsdale, AZ
 
04/06/2018