ID help for owl - Larimer

[ronbco]

I was at Lon Hagler Res in Larimer County late in the day. There are plenty of trees on the west end. An owl was in a cottonwood. I had a clear view of it for a few seconds before it started awkwardly finding a different perch more hidden. Generally, the only owl sp one would expect here is Great Horned. But this was not that. No ear tufts, Quite a stout body including neck. Wings were grey and unmarked on the top sides. They were very broad and long. The bird turned and faced me once while I had bins on it and the face was a disk, but not heart-shaped, with big bright yellow eyes and striking coloring on the face.

So, wrong face and coloring for barn owl, and plus it was no where near dark yet.

No ear tufts, so not long-eared, and more bulky than GH.

All I can conclude is Short-eared. But that would be pretty unusual in this location?

Thanks

Ron Bolton

Berthoud