Steel Sculpture by Canadian Sculptor Hilary Clark Cole

The Great Grey Owl is also called the Grey Ghost, the Sooty Owl, and Phantom of the Night, among other titles.

It is North America's largest owl, 23 to 33 inches from head to tail and with a wingspan of 60 inches. They have lived as long as 40 years in captivity. They are cumbersome flyers and usually glide only about 20 feet off the ground. It is the bird emblem of Manitoba.

I have chosen to create this owl the way I have observed it in the wild in Muskoka, "still hunting"; it will sit motionless on a perch, and wait for its prey, mainly small rodents. Unfortunately, its size and habit make it easy prey for sharpshooters.

This is a hand-built welded steel indoor sculpture. To create this piece, I have used mild steel sheet, pipe, and rod, stainless steel sheet, and brass for the characteristic yellow eyes. The steels, both mild and stainless, lend themselves well to an interpretation of the distinct textures and colours of this remarkable bird.

The sculpture stands about 8 feet tall in total. It would work very well on a landing in a stairwell, where it could be experienced from above, and from below.