Great Horned Owls

I spent some time at the Steptoe Valley Wildlife Management Area this afternoon. (Here is the NDOW brochure for the area) There was quite a nice collection of birds hanging out at the old ranch. I was chatting with one of the managers, and he causually asked if I had seen the Great Horned Owls that usually nest in the cottonwoods by the stream that flows by the ranch house. There were only about five cottonwoods, but they were fairly tall and dense trees. After some scanning, I found one. Then I found another. Then there were three. All were adults. I stayed to watch for several hours, the evening being very pleasant. (And I love these owls.)