From Yerkes Observatory

This fledgling Great Horned Owl made a surprise appearance at Yerkes last week. While our arboretum is home to a wide variety of wildlife, it's a real hoot to spot an owl on the grounds-it doesn't happen often. In fact, you're much more likely to see an owl inside Yerkes!

Architect Henry Ives Cobb incorporated owls into the building's design, and you can find them perched on the columns in the Hagenah Rotunda. While those indoor owls are here to stay, our feathered visitor flew away after spending a short time exploring the grounds.

Photo by Will Borgen

Yerkes Observatory in Wisconsin is home to the world's largest refracting telescope.