Great pictures! What sharp eyes to have noticed that while you were driving. Most people have probably heard Barred owls rather than seeing them. You can listen to them here:
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barred_Owl/sounds
We had a Barred owl at the science center where I worked years ago and I always loved to hear Seymour's call. I occasionally hear them at night here at the lake and it always makes me smile.
Don't you love lasik? I'm sure that you probably would have seen the owl with glasses, but seeing it with just your own eyes is so much better. After wearing glasses for 33 years, I had lasik surgery and am still amazed at the miracle of 20/20 vision.
Congratulations on such great pictures!!!