Is this a juvenile Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)? I notice two nascent feather tufts at the top corners of the head. Certainly not the Barn Owl I have seen here in a previous year! Standing up from photographing flowers up close, I glanced at the cavity in the lone Valley Oak on Road F, near Trail 15. My gaze was met by an unflinching stare from a calm presence. An owl stared back at me. Directly at me. Moving slowly (but it was impossible to hide my motions), I raised my telephoto camera, focused, and clicked. The owl did not appear to move. So now I took more photos -- not moving my feet or most of my body. This eventually devolved into a staring match. Guess who won. Once in a while, I would glance around, looking for the other birdrs, noticing other birds and even lizards around the tree, and swinging my camera to photograph them. Always, when I swung my camera back to the owl, I was met by the same calm implacable stare. Twice I happened to catch the owl's second transparent eyelid, the nictitating membrane, blink to moisten the eyes in a photo I took (but I was not continuously observing the owl's eyes, and I only notied this rapid blink whereviewing my photos.). Finally, after holding my place for 39 minutes, and the owl holding its place as well, I notice the birding group in the distance. and bid my companion goodbye -- with thanks for sharing these moments with me.