I was able to photograph this owl during a class on raptors. It was a great chance to get close to a bald eagle, turkey vulture, American kestrel and this Great Horned owl. All of these birds were from a raptor rehabilitation center. Once nursed back to health, they are released into the wild. If a bird is injured too badly that they can not be released into the wild, they become ambassadors for the Raptor center, helping to educate the public about birds of prey and raise money to fund more rehabilitation, a win/win.