Happy Owl-Oween! Fun Facts About Owls

[Omaha Steve]

X post in Birder




http://www.care2.com/greenliving/happy-owl-oween-fun-facts-about-owls.html

Cherise Udell October 21, 2015 7:30 am

Humans have been fascinated by owls for millennia: they are depicted in ancient cave wall paintings in France dating back 15,000 to 20,000 years and appear in Egyptian hieroglyphics and in folklore across the world. In some cultures, owls represent misfortune and death, while in other cultures they represent wisdom and prosperity.

Lilith, an ancient Sumerian goddess of death, for example, had talons for feet, a headdress adorned with horns and was often depicted with owls by her side. Lilith may have been the precursor to the Greek Goddess of warfare and wisdom, Athena, as Greek myths often describe Athena transforming into an owl during times of battle. In honor of Athena, rocky crevices around Athens and the Acropolis were often filled with small owls in ancient times.

The Ainu of Japan believed Eagle Owl totems would ward off famine and pestilence. Before hunting expeditions, it was a time-honored tradition to drink a toast to the Eagle Owl. However, Barn Owls and Horned Owls were seen as demonic.

In today’s pop culture, owls are strongly associated with Halloween alongside the black cat and the witch on her broomstick. So, in honor of the upcoming festivities of All Hallow’s Eve, please enjoy these wonderfully weird facts about owls.

FULL story at link.

[TwilightGardener]

1. Heard a great horned owl last evening

as I was watering a tree--just love owls.

[nykym]

2. Owl

drink to that...

[Herman4747]

3. A favorite owl video:

[TwilightGardener]

4. That is awesome, thanks.

[cwydro]

5. Love owls!

Thanks for posting!

[Octafish]

6. True Story

Once I was the proud owner of a Kawasaki 440, quite possibly the ugliest motorcycle in California. I bought it used. After owning it for a few weeks, the electric starter quit. I couldn't afford a new one, so I would have to run run run, jump on and pop the clutch.

For some strange reason, no matter where I parked in California, it was flat for acres around. So....run run run...All. The. Time.

Anyway. After closing shop in this upscale mall in Laguna Niguel, I had to drop off the day's receipts at the bank. Run run run. Hop and on and motor. It's about 10:30 p.m. PT and there are no cars. Nice and I'm cruising down this one particularly curvy boulevard all by myself, except I'm not.

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice something to my side. About five feet away is a pretty good sized bird, gliding next to me as I schuss down this nice parkway. It turns its head to look at me and it's a beautiful, gray owl of some kind. It did not flap its wings much, just glided parallel to me and the bike. The owl and I traveled together for at least 30 seconds.

It was amazing. It really was -- and, in my heart and mind -- still is. And now I understand why, with all the hassles resultant, the busted starter was A-OK after all.