Camouflaged

Nature has a remarkable way of hiding its own.

These magnificent great horned owls are often found in our area, yet their intricate feather patterns and earthy tones allow them to disappear almost completely into the aging bark of aspen trees. More than once, we've scanned a tree for several minutes, only to realize one has been watching us all along.

One of their most distinctive features is their prominent feather tufts, often called "horns" - which set them apart from other owls and give them that unmistakable silhouette.

This particular moment unfolded one quiet evening as we were driving through Mountain View County. We happened to catch a glimpse of movement as the owl landed on a branch nearby. Had we not seen him fly in, we would have driven right past without ever knowing he was there. Perched against the warm glow of the setting sun, his feathers seemed to take on the very colors of the evening, blending so perfectly with his surroundings he looked almost like part of the tree itself.

Even after all these years, encounters like this still stop me in my tracks. It's a quiet reminder of how beautifully nature equips its creatures, not just to survive, but to become part of the landscape itself.

- Stan Masters

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