Perch-and-pounce

Can you find the animal in the picture below?

 

Here's a big hint:

 

 

This Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) was perched on a Wax Myrtle branch near Campbell Cove on 8 September 2012.

Note the large size, the bright yellow eyes (see below), and the ear-tufts which give this owl its name.  The ear-tufts looked a little small to me, and the throat wasn't bright white, making me wonder if this was a younger bird.

 

Great Horned Owls are "perch-and-pounce" predators.  They often sight their prey from a perch.  This owl was sitting quietly, but looked around and spent a lot of time staring down towards the ground. 

 

Watch out below!