>>http://www.dogwork.com/owfo8
>
>I've not had much to do with owls but I once went out at night with an acquaintance that flies them.
>The spookiest thing is that, when they come back to the fist, you just do not sense their coming.
>No sound. No wind. Just, suddenly, the talons on the glove.....

I was on a date one time, about 20 years ago, in March, in downtown Vancouver. We had dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory in Gastown, then wandered west and ended up on the west-facing promenade at Canada Place. It was pitch black in Coal Harbour and looking across to Stanley Park, but the white sails of Canada Place were brilliantly lit.

I was leaning on the railing, facing out towards Coal Harbour. My date was to my immediate right, leaning with her back against the railing. Next thing I knew, an adult Great Horned Owl flew out of the darkness, and landed on the railing to my left, *just* out of my arm's reach. Only the lightest of fluttering noises as it landed, nothing like what you'd expect from such a big bird.

My date was looking at me, so she could immediately see the owl, but she maintained her composure. I could see the owl out of the corner of my left eye, and I slowly turned my head to the left so I could see it fully. The owl swivelled its head around several times, looking at the bright white sails, the harbour darkness, and me. I could see the pupils of its eyes stop up/down as it looked at brighter or dimmer objects. After about 30 seconds, it turned around on the railing, jumped off, and flew back towards Stanley Park.