Flaco on a Central Park Bench

A rare nighttime photo of Flaco, the world's most famous and beloved owl.

I had hoped for this opportunity for many months. Although I observed him almost every night, Flaco did not land on a park bench—until one night in early October 2023.

I had been observing him around the ballfields at the north end of Central Park, where he loved to perch on backstops. Then, all of a sudden, he took off. As I tried to relocate him, I walked up a path and realized my great good luck when, to my surprise, I found myself just feet away from him. I immediately backed off and prayed that no other late-night Central Park visitor or dog would chase him off. Fortune was on my side, as Flaco stayed on that bench long enough for me to capture this image.