Like many paper folders, I have a list of models awaiting folding, and this one has been on it for years:

This is Kyohei Katsuta’s delicious design of a “Blakiston’s Fish Owl”, an endangered species and one of the largest owls around.

I took a 90cm square of Kraft paper and, using my usual mantra of “fold until it is finished or it fails” I set off. After a 12 grid, with partial 24th is set, a few strategic diagonals, you then embark on a really fun collapse sequence to arrive at the base.

This model is a study in strategic deployment of layers – the feathers, body volume, features – all of it comes form considered deployment of the accrued layers from the collapse. It is nothing short of a masterpiece.

I am happy with my fold – I will probably return to refold it at some time with nicer paper but it stands an important test for me – a “good” model in my opinion looks good rendered in plain paper. I could have spread the chest feathers a bit more I guess (although I tried and did not really see a way to achieve this), but the overall morphology if the model is pleasing.

I particularly love the wings and feet – so full of life and movement. I added a wire armature to both so I could pose them – this then stiffened the model so I could fashion a simple stand for it. I think the swooping down pose is particularly effective, with it’s claws extended. If you notice carefully, it’s toes are arranged 2 up, two down. This and many other owls have zygodactyl toes – meaning they have an opposable toe that can swing down during prey capture to make the grip tight. I did, however, notice the cover photo of this owl had it’s toes in the more regular 3 up, 1 down configuration – which the owl can do also. I guess it depends on whether it is landing or about to snatch a fish – I went for the latter.

The resultant model is pretty efficient, but even a 90cm square only made an owl slightly smaller than half life-size (these things are big). Storage will be “interesting” as it takes up so much room.

I really enjoyed the sequence – it is challenging and certainly not a beginners fold, but wow it was a fun ride. I am so happy I have been on this fold journey, and for a first fold I think it is a pretty good result.