It surely isn't that unusual for Great Horned Owls to spend some time on
the ground. One in particular I encountered at Toppenish was hunkered down
on the roadside bank on a cold and windy day, in virtually zero cover, and
couldn't be bothered to move when I stopped the car right beside it. That
made me certain that it was damaged ... but when I got out and approached
it to check its condition, a perfectly healthy owl flew off, leaving me
sorry I'd disturbed it.

James West