Sam
Published on Thu, May 20, 2010 by John OwenRead More Owen at Large
I don't want to be an alarmist, but we clearly are experiencing a crime wave in Edmonds.
And I know "who did it."
His name is Sam and he lurks around the streams and forest of Yost Park. You're walking innocently along a nature trail when, BAMMO! You have joined the list of innocent victims.
Sam steals hats. Don't believe me. Ask local naturalist Owen Caddy who has listened to the sad stories and examined the evidence. There is at least one barred owl in Yost Park with a fetish for Stetsons, sombreros and wool knit caps.
Have you ever visited the funny hat shop in Leavenworth? Have you ever eaten dinner at the Ajax Cafe in Port Hanlock, where exotic headgear covers the wall, available for short-term lease by the customers?
It is believed by local residents that somewhere in Yost Park there is an enormous nest constructed from purloined hats. If that doesn't worry you, I'll provide another warning. An owl lusting for your cap, hat or pony tail is usually silent as it swoops through the air but can hit the victim at a velocity close to 40 miles an hour.
Owl attacks have been reported in British Columbia, in Bellingham, Anacortes, Bainbridge Island along with Edmonds.
Some communities have posted Owl Warning signs near popular running and hiking trails.
The warning favored by naturalists is, "If you hear them hoot, scoot!" Their theory is that young owls are learning to hunt, and mistake an object like a knit cap for prey. And like parents everywhere, mom and pop owl become nervous and protective when their kids are on the loose. There have been reported instances where a young owl will mis-time its dive, execute a U-turn and repeat the attack. In one instance on a trail near Deception Pass a jogger grabbed a tree branch and foiled a repeat attack.
As far as we can tell, Sam has better manners than that. He may not even suspect that his photo is on the Edmonds' post office wall.
Meanwhile the search continues for his stash of caps in Yost Park. That sounds a whole lot more exciting than the Easter Egg Hunt in City Park.
And I know "who did it."
His name is Sam and he lurks around the streams and forest of Yost Park. You're walking innocently along a nature trail when, BAMMO! You have joined the list of innocent victims.
Sam steals hats. Don't believe me. Ask local naturalist Owen Caddy who has listened to the sad stories and examined the evidence. There is at least one barred owl in Yost Park with a fetish for Stetsons, sombreros and wool knit caps.
Have you ever visited the funny hat shop in Leavenworth? Have you ever eaten dinner at the Ajax Cafe in Port Hanlock, where exotic headgear covers the wall, available for short-term lease by the customers?
It is believed by local residents that somewhere in Yost Park there is an enormous nest constructed from purloined hats. If that doesn't worry you, I'll provide another warning. An owl lusting for your cap, hat or pony tail is usually silent as it swoops through the air but can hit the victim at a velocity close to 40 miles an hour.
Owl attacks have been reported in British Columbia, in Bellingham, Anacortes, Bainbridge Island along with Edmonds.
Some communities have posted Owl Warning signs near popular running and hiking trails.
The warning favored by naturalists is, "If you hear them hoot, scoot!" Their theory is that young owls are learning to hunt, and mistake an object like a knit cap for prey. And like parents everywhere, mom and pop owl become nervous and protective when their kids are on the loose. There have been reported instances where a young owl will mis-time its dive, execute a U-turn and repeat the attack. In one instance on a trail near Deception Pass a jogger grabbed a tree branch and foiled a repeat attack.
As far as we can tell, Sam has better manners than that. He may not even suspect that his photo is on the Edmonds' post office wall.
Meanwhile the search continues for his stash of caps in Yost Park. That sounds a whole lot more exciting than the Easter Egg Hunt in City Park.