Holy Crap

photo courtesy of Dennis Swayze

The last thing I ever expected to see in the center of the city…really caught me of guard but still managed a few frames.
First thought it to be a Great Gray (which would be highly unlikely)…then a Great Horned but as I approached soon realizing it was in fact a Barred Owl.
Somewhat similar to a Gray in appearance but smaller in size…perhaps the biggest noticeable difference would be the coal black eyes.
This encounter was short and brief before it took off and disappeared into the bush along the river.
Again reminding myself to always expect the unexpected.