I was lucky and found the Great Gray Owl today. I watched it from =
approximately 12:30pm to 1pm. After wandering through the park for =
about an hour I passed a horseback rider who told me she had just seen =
the owl. This owl is incredibly tame. During the entire 30 minutes of =
observation the owl seemed to act as if I didn't exist. I didn't move =
around at all during the first 15 minutes but I'm sure it saw me. =
During the last 15 minutes another birder showed up and we conversed =
quietly a couple of times. Again the owl acted as if we weren't there. =
I first spotted it about 40ft off the trail on top of a 10ft snag (of =
small diameter). I froze in my tracks and watched for about 15 minutes =
as the owl flew between various perches (all smaller diameter snags or =
limbs and 15ft high or less) within an area of approximately 60 feet in =
diameter. The owl's first move brought it to within 10 ft of me - what =
a view! The owl was active - constantly peering around at various =
places on the forest floor and canopy. During the 30 minutes that I =
observed it the owl flew down to the forest floor only once. As far as =
I could see it did not bring anything up afterwards. The owl dropped =
one pellet which I did not retrieve because I didn't want to risk =
disturbing the owl. If anyone really cares about the pellet I could go =
back to the spot and search for it.

On my way out I talked with another horseback rider who told me that the =
owl had been seen all over the park. So if you go look for it, I =
suggest that you plan on spending some time looking - I was lucky.

Steve