While driving to work last week we found a large, great horned owl on the side of the freeway next to a tall concrete wall. He could fly, but not very well (he looked like he may have gotten clipped by a car).
We caught him in mid-flight before it got out in traffic and I somehow managed to not get bitten or ripped open by his claws.
We were on the way to work so we had to bring him with us. He was pretty mad so it was really tricky to photograph him. I had to hold him with one hand in my lap and work the camera with the other hand.
One of the homeowners we met with that day gave us a box, so that made things quite a bit easier. We dropped him off at a state park and an animal rescue organization sent a team to come pick him up (I’m not sure if they knew he was already in a box).
Source and more pics (and an update)
Owls always freak me the heck out; they almost look evil on occasion. I'm going to put them up there with clowns on my list, specifically Pennywise the clown from Stephen King's "It".
P.S. Those eyes look almost fake because of such a deep and neon fluorescent nature. NOT NORMAL DUUUDDEES. It gives me the heebee-jeebees.
Great second pic. Almost as if he's daring you to open the box.
Wow – if looks could kill…he doesn't look too fond of being put in that box.
The box picture is of kinds of awesome! It almost looks like a large cat.
that is one pissed owl.