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Great Horned Owl in a Tree

A Great Horned Owl sits in the shade of a pine tree during the daytime. One of its eyes is open wider than the other. The feathers on the front of it are striped brown and white, with a small white patch in the center of its chest.

Nothing to see here. Just a Great Horned Owl giving you the side eye. 

I saw this owl while on a hike as part of really awesome class, and if someone hadn't pointed it out, I don't think I'd have spotted it. It was simply resting in a pine tree, very contentedly. Its feathers look almost the same color as the bark. After class, I returned to take pictures, and it was in the same spot.

Great Horned Owls have four toes (as you can see in the last photo) that come in handy when hunting. According to Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, their toes are uniquely arranged, two in the front and two in the back, and they can rotate one toe to a different position to help as they hunt.[1] Based on the last photo, one also wonders if all this toe talent can help when they need to scratch just the right spot.


A Great Horned Owl sits on a brnach of a pine tree, amid dappled shade. Its eyes are close, and sunlight hits the pine needles behind it.

A Great Horned Owl sits on a branch of a pine tree in the shade. It lift one of its feet and bends its head down towards it, so they almost touch. It looks as if it is about to scratch its head. Behind it, the pine needles and branches look sunny.

The Details: 

Common Name: Great Horned Owl
Scientific Name: Bubo virginianus
Family: Strigidae 
Order: Strigiformes
Seen: In a wooded area not far from a beach, sitting peacefully in a pine tree
Month: April

Learn More About Great Horned Owls:

  1. College of Veterinary Medicine. (2021, March 24). Sprite - Great Horned Owl. Washington State University.

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