Well played, 'endangered' owl

[bigtree]

Washington Post ?@washingtonpost 14m14 minutes ago
A giant owl is terrorizing a small Dutch town http://wapo.st/1LEoKms


A massive, winged creature is on the prowl, swooping down and attacking the good people of the northern Dutch town of Purmerend and sending them to the hospital. The reign of terror has become so bad that the town has advised its residents to walk around with umbrellas at night, for fear that they could become victims, Agence France-Presse reported...

"During the day there's no problem, but at night we now only venture outside armed with umbrellas, helmets and hats, anything really, to protect ourselves," the center's spokeswoman, Liselotte de Bruijn, told AFP. "The problem is that you don't hear the owl before it strikes. Its claws are razor-sharp..."

The European, or Eurasian, Eagle owl, is one of the world's largest owl species, with a wingspan of more than six feet. The animal feasts on small mammals such as rats and rabbits, as well as, in some instances, young deer...

According to the nonprofit Peregrine Fund, a conservation group focused on birds of prey, eagle owl populations dropped during the first part of the 20th century, with humans hunting them. The bird's numbers have improved since then, but they are still subject to electrocution and getting hit by cars.


read: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2015/02/25/theres-a-giant-owl-terrorizing-a-small-dutch-town/?tid=sm_tw

[TerrapinFlyer]

1. great photo!

look at those wings.

[bigtree]

2. it's a beauty

...came face to face with a snowy white owl some years back pushing through some low pines; terrifyingly exciting with a unforgettable view of the massive bird escaping in flight across an open field. Their wingspans are incredible.

[Exhibit A]

3. Gorgeous! n/t

[central scrutinizer]

4. We've had an attack owl here in Oregon, too

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2015/01/16/salem-man-attacked-great-horned-owl-bushs-pasture-park/21888487/

Ron Jaecks of Salem was on his usual morning run in Bush's Pasture Park on Tuesday when he was attacked, or so he thought.

Jaecks was jogging near the baseball field about 5:15 a.m. Suddenly in the morning darkness his stocking cap was pulled from his head, and almost simultaneously he felt something puncture his scalp.

Jaecks thought he was dying.

and this sign was put up:

[link:|

[bigtree]

5. love the sign

[csziggy]

6. That sign was designed by the Rachel Maddow Show graphics person!

[longship]

7. Yup! Wonderful. Rachel was beaming when she reported that. nt

[Glassunion]

8. Shoot the fucker!!!!

I've been on night shift, and find myself driving the hour home at around 4am.

Twice now. I find myself about a mile from the house. Country road. Forests lining both sides of the street. My high-beams catch fucking batman swooping right in front of my car out of nowhere. And by nowhere I mean the universe simply spits the fucking pterodactyl of a creature out of non matter, moving at a velocity that can only be described as "terror-speed", right towards my windshield. Kill it!!!! Kill it with fire!!!!

That picture made me pee a little.