This is one very special bird to see in the wild. The Great-Horned Owl is the largest North American owl with a wingspan up to 5 feet. They fly silently and although nocturnal, they can be seen when tending to a nest as with this one in Rocky Mountain National Park.

This owl has chosen to build its nest right over one of the main arteries in the park, so constant people traffic becomes an issue, especially as some try to approach with point-and-shoot cameras. But apparently, as owls typically do, this owl reuses its nest year after year.

Canon EOS 5D, Canon 100-400mm f/4.5/5.6L IS @ 400mm, 1/100 sec @f/5.6, ISO equiv 400, Calumet 8000 Carbon Fiber Tripod, Gitzo G1276 Ballhead