All,
My wife, Holly, and I went out a couple of times today to try to
see the owl for ourselves, parking in the garage that Susan mentioned. He
stayed pretty far out, actually between the taxiways for most of the day
(about a mile south southwest), so we stayed for less than 15 minutes at
about noon, and again at about 14:00. After a break for a late lunch, we
came back just after 16:00 and stayed for almost 2 hours, this time bringing
our telescope with us. As it neared 17:00, he finally flew back towards the
parking garage, perching from time to time on various light poles due west
about 150 yards (between taxiways), just over the Airborne Express plane
parked at the cargo buildings across the street. After some ambulances went
by, he decided to fly towards us, and he actually perched on the tail of the
Airborne Express plane, giving us spectacular views for about 15 minutes.
From there, he flew and perched on top of the last light pole west by the
post office, in the row already mentioned by Susan. And as we finally lost
the last light, he flew to the ground outside the cargo buildings across the
street.
Our group was approached by airport security, after the owl been
on the Airborne Express plane for some time, with sort of puzzled looks on
their faces. We explained about the bird, though, and they couldnt have
been nicer. We invited them to take a peek though the scopes, and I think
they actually had a good time. They did ask, however, that the next time we
come out if we could first call their Operations number so that they know
whats going on (said their number is on their website).
Quick snapshot with a camera held up to the eyepiece of the telescope (sort
of a so-so view of the back of his head )
http://www.hollyandjeremy.com/snapshots/SnowyOwl.jpg
<http://www.hollyandjeremy.com/snapshots/SnowyOwl.jpg>
--Holly and Jeremy Koppel
Sterling, VA
