The Phantom of the North

On a fall trip to Grand Teton National Park, I set out with the intention of photographing moose—but luck had other plans for me. I stumbled upon an incredible concentration of over half a dozen great gray owls within a small area inside the park. Instantly captivated, I shifted my focus away from the moose and dedicated the rest of the trip to photographing these beautiful and elusive birds as they prepared for the coming winter. I found this owl early one morning while it was actively hunting for prey. After an unsuccessful attempt, it flew up and perched on a perfectly placed branch against a beautiful backdrop, allowing me to capture this striking image.