Nocturnal Hunter

For a refreshing change of pace I caught a series of pictures of an owl. 

click on image to enlarge

Judging from the scale of the head of the deer in the picture from yesterday's post and the position of the bird behind the licking branch my best guess is that this is a Great Horned Owl.  I know we don't have Barred Owls as I never hear their distinctive call.  We do have Screech Owls - but they're much smaller raptors.  That leaves - Bubo virginianus.

This bird is sometimes called the Flying Tiger as it is fearless.  It is one of the few animals that will kill porcupines and skunks.