Bushmasters are lovely.. the largest pit viper in the world, and one of south america's most dangerous snakes. I don't plan on owning any hots personally, but I DO plan on owning a reptile zoo which will include many of the most beautiful.

If you want to see some beautiful hots.. try googling:

bitis parviocula
bitis cornuta
blue coral snake (hard to find good pics of this one)
bothrops alternatus
hairy bush viper
trimeresurus (the whole genus is very cool)
puff adder
rhinoceros viper
russells viper
zhaoermia mangshanensis

Wow, ok I guess I'm in a sharing mood right now.. lol.

Oh, and it's good you don't want a pet barn owl because it's illegal unless you're a licensed falconer, and owls make poor falconry birds at that!