"You gotta look up more, Dad."  So said my young son as we walked thru our woods.   And so I did.  Lo and behold I started seeing things - many things, but in greatest number a type of critter that I must have been walking under for years:  Barred Owls.  

I had no idea we had such magnificent creatures around here.  I'd seen their big feathers here and there - but I always figured they'd come from a hawk.  

From Wikipedia:  "The Barred Owl is a large typical owl native to North America. Best known as the Hoot Owl for its distinctive call, it goes by many other names, including Eight Hooter, Rain Owl, Wood Owl, and Striped Owl."

From the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife:  "The barred owl is similar in size to the great horned owl, but has dark eyes, a thicker appearing neck, and no ear-tufts. The barring pattern on the neck and breast is crosswise and lengthwise on the belly. The barred owl is primarily a bird of eastern and northern U.S. forests and is a recent arrival to Washington.  The barred owl is distinguished from the spotted owl by its streaked belly (spotted owls have a combination of spots and bars). Barred and spotted owls are closely related and occasionally mate where their ranges overlap."

What a cool bird this is.  They are huge!  I've seen many that stand taller than my miniature poodle (who is pretty big!)