Great Horned Owl Chicks

Ucross, Wyoming, in June was sheer magic. I ambled through a fantasy of birds everywhere. On my first day there, my walk took me to the bend of Piney Creek. And in the midst of all of the wonder around me, there were suddenly two huge, yellow eyes staring at me. As I gaped at the baby owl, which was essentially a giant pompom with an attitude, I felt my heart almost stop as a second pair of yellow eyes glared at me. There was not one, but two, Great Horned Owl chicks. I had not thought paradise could get any better, but those fluffball owlets proved me wrong.

c. Christina Baal 2017