Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

17th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Great Horned Owl visiting his cottontail prey.

I've seen the Great Horned pair that lives in our forest but never so up close. But this morning I happened to look out our front window just as this owl was swooping down on one of the cottontail rabbits feeding in the tall grass. I watched as he stowed his prey under the wooden shed, then stayed on the front porch much of the day to catch this giant bird return repeatedly to feed.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 11.2019
Date Uploaded: 11.2019
Photo Location: Estacada, Oregon, United States of America
Camera: Canon PowerShot SX420 IS
Copyright: © Mari Saint-Pierre