RE: [APML] critter stories

["Greg Hartke" <ghartke@adelphia.net>]

I hesitated to mention this experience but Don's quiet flyer story certainly
brought to mind the time an owl investigated me. Libby and I were on a long
backpacking trip (something like 10 days) in the Wind River Range in
Wyoming. We were encamped at just about tree line, say something like 10,500
ft. As usual, I hung around outside the tent for a while for a good look at
the sky. Just as the last light was fading, this enormous owl came flying up
and circled me 3 times at a radius of maybe 15 feet or so. It was very
nearly silent; I could barely discern a rustle in its flight that close. It
finally landed on a stunted tree up the hill behind a boulder, maybe 30 feet
away. Of course I could barely see it as a gray shape in the gloaming. I
stood stock still not wanting to frighten it. It sang for me briefly, a
surprisingly soft and throaty song. After a few minutes it took off, circled
me once more, and winged away. I guess it decided it wasn't going to attack
an ogre like me. Maybe it was the smell. ;) Anyway, it was an unforgettable
experience.

Greg Hartke
Sykesville, MD

> -----Original Message-----
> From: astro-photo-bounces@seds.org
> [mailto:astro-photo-bounces@seds.org]On Behalf Of westergren
> Sent: Monday, December 08, 2003 1:05 PM
> To: Discussion of Film Astrophotography
> Subject: Re: [APML] critter stories
>
> Another Critter Story,
>
> I have heard stories of how quiet bats are when they fly.  I saw (heard)
> first hand one night when my observing buddy and I were outside our
> observing tents talking and enjoying the night sky.  Siloueted against the
> white dome tent, I saw a bat fly over my friend's head, within a
> foot above
> him.  Neither of us heard a thing and neither of us were talking at the
> time.  I could see the bat wings flap, but they are absolutly quiet.
>
> Don


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