This is a "captive" female that is part of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum's Raptor Free Flight Program.
We got a special show as part of their Coati Kids program, of which my daughter has been a member for
many years. The neat thing about ASDM's program is that the birds can come and go as they please. The
birds get the benefit of food, shelter, and veterinary care while the public gets the benefit of seeing these
birds fly around up close. The handlers and the birds have a special bond that seems to work well enough
to keep the birds coming back after a flight program --- even with gobs of people around.
More info on the Raptor Free Flight Program: http://www.desertmuseum.org/visit/rff_index.php
It was very windy on this particular day, which the owl seemed to not be all that happy about.
A couple more images from the encounter:
