Great Horned Owl

Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)
Procreate

For many years, a large Great Horned Owl lived in the eucalyptus tree in the empty field across the street from the house where I grew up. Although I often played in that field, and even climbed that tree, I didn’t see the owl very often, although there were a number of occasions where I did, including at least two times on Halloween. On this particular Halloween (1971 or 72), I was trick-or-treating with some neighborhood children when the owl flew down right in front of us, and landed in the middle of the Holzer’s front yard. How could I forget an event like that! One of my earliest “birding” experiences, and one which definitely made an impact on my young psyche, probably predisposing me to my current fascination with birds.