Great-horned Owl Family

Juvenile great-horned owl fresh out of her nest

Now that they're no longer tied to a nest, the great-horned owl family has faded back into the forest -- as owls are wont to do. I haven't been able to find any of them this week. Owl plumage resembles tree bark and blends them in with the tree trunks and limbs so that they can rest during daylight. Otherwise songbirds will discover and mob the owls, which makes it rather hard to sleep. When the juveniles first left the nest, they'd perch out in the open (right). But there was always at least one adult standing guard nearby who would give a territorial call to ward off any approaching ravens or eagles.