A great horned owl in a willow tree is easy to miss. This one sat in the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. The willow tree stood near the road to Moody Boat Ramp and Trotter’s Pond. I was scanning the trees as I drove, and its shape caught my eye.
A Great Horned Owl Willow Roost Near the Road
The owl’s ear tufts gave it away. Those tufts are feathers, not ears, and they help the bird blend into bark and branches. Even so, its size and yellow eyes set it apart once I found it. Great horned owls live throughout North and South America. In fact, few owl species are more widespread. This one had picked a high perch in the willow, as these birds often do.
A great horned owl is also a powerful predator. It hunts small mammals such as rabbits and rodents. Other birds are on the menu as well. Strong talons and a sharp beak make it an efficient hunter, built to strike with force.
Waiting on a Beanbag in the Pickup Window
I rested my camera on a beanbag over the open window of my pickup. That setup kept the camera steady and let me adjust quickly. For a few minutes, the owl did not face me at all. After a while, it turned its head toward me. Then I took the shot, with its yellow eyes fixed on my lens. Sometimes patience is the whole technique.
Why This Great Horned Owl Stayed With Me
I still think about how well that owl hid in plain sight. Its tufts and coloring did most of the work. I have also photographed this species as a hunter. See Great Horned Owl With A Pied-billed Grebe for that side of the bird. The willow encounter showed the quieter side of the same powerful owl.