(meteorobs) meteorobs Digest, Vol 2, Issue 8

[Richard Kramer]

Many years ago a ranger was killed in a national park. The ranger was 
out at night and wearing a fur hat when he went missing. He was found 
many days later, dead, with the owl's talons still locked into his 
skull. The owl, unable to release its talons, had also died.

In Alaska, my wife was attacked by a great horned owl. She was not 
wearing a fur hat. They can be very territorial.


At 10:53 AM 11/5/2009, brodwcjj at integrity.com wrote:
>The areas I go in the west (Columbia River Gorge or high desert Central
>Oregon) I haven't felt the need to carry weapons.  I'm glad I didn't have
>one the time the local sheriff checked to see what I was doing.
>                    "But officer I'm watching meteors"
>The closest animal encounter I recall is with an owl.
>I was in a reclining chair covered in sleeping bags on a cold Leonid night
>in the Columbia Gorge.
>My head was covered with a brown furry-looking hat.   All of a sudden
>something blacked out the stars and I felt a silent whoosh of air over my
>face.   Then I saw something land in the tree above.    I realized that an
>owl had made a pass at my furry head  maybe thinking it was a rabbit.
>Thank goodness it did not sink it's talons into my face.
>Since the owl was still looking down from the tree I threw my arms out of
>the sleeping bag, ripped off my hat and yelled, "I am NOT a Rabbit !"
>The rest of the night was uneventful except for the beautiful meteors.
>
>Now there are areas in the west I would feel different.   In Alaska I was
>nervously aware that I was not the top of the food chain when I could see
>evidence of recent Grizzly Bear activity everywhere I hiked.
>I didn't stay out at night there  but if I did it would probably be on the
>roof of a tall building  with a can of bear mace in my hand.
>
>Dustin Brown
>
>
> > From: jeffrey wilson <smellystinkbug at yahoo.com>
> > Subject: Re: (meteorobs) Wild Animals: Lions & Tigers & Bears Oh My!
> > I was going to observe the Geminids in December but after reading this
> > thread I dont know.
> > Pepper spray, stun gun; guns with bullets!? This is starting to sound like
> > a survivalist discussion.? I have observed from the middle of the glades
> > on occasion but did not take a weapon of any type; maybe I should.? Hmmmmm
> > food for thought.? Actually the animals that have given me a hard time
> > (not all of them mind you) stand upright and carry a badge.
> > "What are you doing out here at this time of night!"? then you show him
> > your binoculars and other gear just to convince him that your telling the
> > truth.?
> > ?
> > Have you ever heard that sound that a gator makes?? That will make you
> > jump a few feet if you are not used to it.
> > ?
> > Happy observing and look before you shoot anything.
> > ?
> > Jeff Wison
>
>
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