Dennis Paulson wrote:
'snip'
>My best close encounter was in my own yard, when I coaxed a Chestnut-backed
>Chickadee out of the bushes to take sunflower seeds from my hand. It took
>a long time of standing still with my hand up, but my smile was a mile wide
>when it landed. I've never been able to duplicate it since.
>
>And I've always had the fantasy of a pet Red-breasted Nuthatch hitching
>around on me and taking sunflower seeds from various pockets (removal of
>ectoparasites would be a side benefit).

I once had an unusual close encounter with an Eastern Screech-Owl. While
playing taped calls to entice responses from local owls during a Christmas
bird count, I had stepped out of the car (since leaving the window open did
not give me enough opportunity to hear owls call) and moved away. The idea
is to hear the owl as quickly as possible and move on. I then heard this
scream or shreak coming from the car. No, it was not an owl, it was coming
from the driver of the car (still in the driver's seat-working the tape
deck.) As I turned around I could see the screech flying out of the car
(driver's side) and as it left, it took a side trip and dive-bombed me on
its way back to its perch. Apparently it had flown into the car via the
passenger side and had come in talons first! I don't think this owl has
since been legitimately counted on a CBC! No one wants to confirm its presence!

Don Cecile
DCecile at cln.etc.bc.ca.