That is gorgeous. Your model is a Barred Owl, which are especially haunting because they do not have the yellow or orange iris of other owls. Their eyes are black black black.
We have four of these (a mated pair and their two owl-lets, living in the Bog Garden here in Greensboro, NC, hunting baby ducks and turtles. They are surprisingly mellow about being observed and having their pictures taken.
http://www.greensboro.com/multimedia/bog-garden-barred-owls-draw-a-steady-crowd-in-greensboro/article_482e6f8a-dcbd-5e49-a696-4140257aa2b6.html