great horned owl

I was lucky enough to have a little free time on a trip to Las Vegas and I was able to find a local Wildlife Guide to help me find some Owls.  The Great Horned Owl was on the list and we were lucky enough to see them fairly open and on some nice perch’s.  One shot in particular I was able to catch the glow of the setting sun on the side of its face which made a lovely image.

On the morning shoot we were treated to a brief but intense rain storm which im told is a rare treat in Las Vegas.  Locating 2 owl’s shortly after this was great to watch them preening and shaking the water out of their feathers.

The great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) is a large and adaptable bird native to the Americas. Known for its distinctive ear tufts and deep hooting call, this owl is a formidable predator, capable of hunting animals larger than itself, including other birds of prey.

It has a broad diet that includes rodents, birds, reptiles, and even insects.  Great horned owls are highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of habitats, from forests and deserts to urban areas.  They are also one of the earliest nesting birds in North America, often laying eggs in late winter.