Woman Discovers A Great Horned Owl Seemingly Judging Her - And It's Hysterical

What are you looking at? Could that be what one beautiful great horned owl was thinking as he stared down at Rachael Tancock, known as The Nature Educator, in a 2026 Instagram video?

Was he judging her? Maybe, and his expression certainly got a chuckle out of us. Still, the much more likely explanation is rooted in simple biology and survival behavior rather than a superiority complex. Owls can't move their eyes, so they must move their head to change their view. Since they stare to assess threats, anything that catches their attention is likely to be examined. Are you a threat? Are you prey? Does the owl need to flee for its safety? Those are the questions the great horned owl was likely trying to answer when he spotted Tancock. 

She didn't seem to care why the encounter took place. She just looked thrilled to interact with the creature, which she called "the cutest little fluff" in the video's caption. Tancock's audience seemed to enjoy the encounter for her, too. "You have been blessed," one user commented, while others left funny photos and gifs as responses. 

Finding a great horned owl might seem challenging, but the good news is that they're native to most of North America. Like many types of owls, they typically hunt at night and sleep during the day. Since they're primarily nocturnal, you have to be deliberate in your search. If you're determined to catch the gaze of an owl, there are some tips and tricks to keep in mind. First, listen for owl calls. Familiarize yourself with the calls of a great horned owl, so you'll recognize the sound while out owling. If you're looking during mating season, which spikes in January and February, you might hear two owls calling to each other. To get a sense of what they sound like, you can always check out the viral pair of snowy owls that had a yap-off in spring 2026. 

Next, look for owl pellets and droppings. White droppings can often be spotted beneath an owl's nest, providing a useful clue. Also, make sure to check for expert-led owl programs in your area. Take part in a class to learn more about owling or join a guided group tour in search for these elusive birds of prey. Then, if you're ready to take your owl enthusiasm to the next level, you can build an owl nesting box on your property to hopefully help attract an owl you can then observe throughout the year.

Want to see adorable owls from the comfort of your sofa instead? Check out these 19 of the cutest owls ever or one special rescue owl that was smaller than a banana when it was found.