Owls are so stealthy. A powerful predator, owls can take down birds and mammals even larger than themselves. But what makes me understand their power is the fact that they can kill porcupines!
I would never have noticed this Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) in the back yard if it didn't swoop off the nearby branch. It was mid morning and I'm sure this bird was asleep, so I think we both surprised each other. Lucky for me...I had the camera in tow.