Nicholas Wilson (American, B. 1947) "Great Horned Owl Mother with Babies" Signed lower middle. Original Gouache painting on Masonite. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. The Great Horned Owl ranges throughout North and South America, being absent only on the northern tundra of Canada and Alaska. In the West they often choose canyons for nesting, while in the East and South woodlands are preferred. Using a deserted crow's or hawk's nest, the Great Horned Owl's preference is a high tree or cave to raise their young. The Great Horned Owl is one of the earliest nesters, laying two to three eggs as early as February. Nesting occurs just once a year. At this time two Great Horned Owls break their pattern of solitary existence and remain together while young are in the nest. Interestingly, both male and female alternately incubate the white eggs during the four week gestation. With time, the Great Horned Owlets grow to have the characteristic ear-like tufts, enormous yellow eyes, and deep resonant hoot of their parents. The adult owls are solicitous parents to the owlets who cannot fly for a long twelve weeks after hatching. Thus, the parent owls must continuously search for prey to feed the hungry nestlings. The aggressive Great Horned Owl fearlessly swoops down to attack any beast between rabbit and goose size. By choice of food, the Great Horned Owl is, indeed, both bold and predatory. Understandably, this fearless bird is also known as the tiger owl. Image Size: 10 x 10 in. Overall Size: 12 x 12 in. Unframed. (B14011) See More