Michael Price writes:

>The sudden impaling grip of talons lancing out of the dark is intentionally
>never less than a nasty surprise, whether to mouse or owler. To have
>solidarity in startlement--but not pain--with an owl's hapless prey, may I
>suggest that owlers pick up some cheapo pairs of clear plastic safety lasses
>at the local hardware store, and wear them. The few bucks you spend on them
>now may save your sight, even if it doesn't completely take the 'Ow' out of
>'Owl Attack'.

In his book on owls, Julio de le Torres (sp?) mentions two cases of
photographers losing an eye due to attacks of Great Gray Owls and also a
case of a broken arm when a researcher was knocked out of a tree by and
owl. In these cases the owls were nesting. It appears the normally calm
Great Gray is a fierce defender of nest territory once the eggs hatch. It
seems they might also target the eyes of intruders.

Ed Schulz
Everett, WA
eschulz at eldec.com