Mexican Spotted Owl Fledgling

Mexican spotted owls, (Strix occidentalis lucida), listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act since 1993 due to habitat loss and deforestation, reside in cool moist canyons and forests of  AZ, CO, NM and UT.  One pair in Zion resides in Refrigerator Canyon, through which passes one of the busiest trails in the entire park as steady streams of hikers work their way to and from Angel's Landing which sits adjacent to the canyon.  Here we see a downy fledgling in late spring.  

This piece is in the Zion Art Invitational opening on November 6 at Worthington Gallery in Springdale, UT.  Proceeds to Zion Forever Project help fund research and protection of threatened and endangered species in the park such as these adorably curious and docile owls.