When I lived in Northern New Jersey, USA, I'd walk paths along the Saddle River and a few times at dusk encountered Great Horned Owls perched about 15'+ above the path in trees. Once I heard two owls calling to one another from either sides of the river. And once I had a "conversation" with a Great Horned--I'd make owl-like calls and it would look down at me and stare! Wonderful encounters.