This is a interesting topic that I take great interest in mainly because
'owl-watching' is my biggest love. I'll admit I was surprised to see the
exact location of Washington's most elusive and beautiful owls posted for all
to see. Maybe a more broad location would have been appropriate. It is
nice, however, to know there is a thriving Great Gray Owl near Tonasket.
When I go owling, I'm definately not the type to go stomping through the
woods with my flashlight blaring and tape-recorder blasting owl calls. It
makes me cringe. My advice on anybody who is interested in observing owls in
a way that is least distractive to these great birds is to just go out in
suitable owl habitat when the owls are most active (dusk and before dawn) and
just stop and listen and let your senses do the work and you'll be amazed
when Screech Owls go darting from branch to branch or when Great Horneds'
will let out their call. If you take this low-key approach you'll be
rewarded the most and usually the owls could care less you are there. I'm
not sure if I veered off the topic or not (i get so excited talking about
owls!!). Anyways, everybody have a nice day!! Bryan Mathews,
Gr8HrndOwl at aol.com (nice screen name-huh?)