I couldn't resist telling a story about an encounter with owl pellets.
During the Goodwill Games we had the occasion to host a pair of Soviet
visitors. We found a translator from Russia House at UW and took the three
of them for a hike in the Cascades. As we were walking along we discovered
a bunch of owl pellets on the ground. Gordy and I became very excited and
began dissecting them. The Soviets thought we were nuts picking up what
looked to them like ancient dog poop. When we tried to get the translator
to explain, she threw up her hands and cried that she could handle most
translations, but owl pellets were beyond anything she'd ever had to deal
with. Ever since we've laughed at the thought of those Soviet visitors,
going home and talking about those weird Americans.

Sorry Steve, I can't advise on owl pellet safety. We've always handled
them, probably unwisely, but they are such wondrous things.

Caroline Feiss
Seattle
mailto:cfeiss at halcyon.com