While trekking through the scenic canyons of Lake Powell, which straddles the border between Arizona and Utah, a group of hikers stumbled upon something truly extraordinary—an owl swimming through the water.

Owls are not typically associated with water, let alone seen swimming. So when the hikers noticed the feathered creature paddling through the canyon waters, they were understandably stunned.

According to National Geographic, owls swimming is a phenomenon so rare that it often catches even seasoned wildlife experts off guard. When owls do find themselves in the water, it is almost never intentional. Unlike ducks or other aquatic birds, owls lack waterproof feathers, making them especially vulnerable once submerged. Moreover, they have no natural defense mechanisms in the water and cannot take off into flight from a wet position. Instead, they must find solid ground, dry off, and regain their strength before attempting to fly again. This means that the owl spotted in the canyon was likely in a desperate situation, possibly struggling for its life.

Geoff LeBaron, a biologist with the National Audubon Society, identified the owl in the hikers’ video as a juvenile great horned owl. “I suspect it actually fell out of the nest,” LeBaron told National Geographic. “Great horned owls often nest on ledges or in precarious spots on cliffs, so it’s not uncommon for young ones to accidentally fall during their early exploratory phase.”

He added, “This bird is young enough that the parents were probably still nearby and actively caring for it. Hopefully, once the hikers passed and the area was quiet again, the owl was able to dry off and reunite with its family.”

The video of the incident has since circulated online, drawing reactions of amazement and concern from nature lovers across the globe. It’s a stark reminder of how vulnerable young wildlife can be, and how chance encounters with humans can sometimes mean the difference between life and death.

While we may never know exactly what happened to the little swimmer, there’s hope that the story had a happy ending—that the owl found safety, warmth, and eventually, the skies again.

Nature continues to surprise and humble us, reminding us that even in the harshest of moments, life finds a way.