What was the deal with OWLS in the 70s?

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http://www.rustyzipper.com/cpics/77383-A6329L.jpg

Who started it?

http://www.cyberattic.com/stores/JAKGUY/items/454443/catphoto.jpg

Or was it the 60s?

― Sarah Madkitten McLusky (coco), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:33 (twenty years ago)

Hooters, duh.

― Huk-L (Huk-L), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:34 (twenty years ago)

My friend Stripey's dad to thread.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:35 (twenty years ago)

Martin M. to thread, since it's his fault I put the idea in Sarah's head. ;-)

― Casuistry (Chris P), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:36 (twenty years ago)

Ned, I don't think he's going to come.

http://www.80stees.com/images/products/Tootsie_Popl_Owl-Jr-Tee.jpg

― jaymc (jaymc), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:36 (twenty years ago)

Ned, I don't think he's going to come.

Likely not, but Stripey has stories about her dad's owl collection, which I haf seen with mine own eyes.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:37 (twenty years ago)

http://www.t-shirtking.com/graphics/166-00158.jpg

― jaymc (jaymc), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:38 (twenty years ago)

Is that Green Arrow?

― Huk-L (Huk-L), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:40 (twenty years ago)

I don't know about the '70s since I spent years 0-5 there, but I know one thing: I love owls.

― The Milkmaid (of human kindness) (The Milkmaid), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:40 (twenty years ago)

(xp) That's Woodsy, fool.

― jaymc (jaymc), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:41 (twenty years ago)

Hi!
http://static.flickr.com/11/17506077_811af52517.jpg

― The Milkmaid (of human kindness) (The Milkmaid), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:42 (twenty years ago)

http://www.hoolet.org.uk/28hoolet/owl01.jpg

― Huk-L (Huk-L), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:44 (twenty years ago)

http://www.fci.org/images/products/273ebcd77c10e7228d6ded82628134fd.jpg
http://pbskids.org/rogers/make_believe/mbimages/mrnlogo_big.gif

― jaymc (jaymc), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:45 (twenty years ago)

http://www.newzoorevue.com/images/who_char.gif

― Redd Harvest (Ken L), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:46 (twenty years ago)

I am away from home on business at the moment, and I also just moved to a new apartment, but I shall take some pictures of my kitchen when I finish unpacking and put up all my 70s owl decorations.

― martin m. (mushrush), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:46 (twenty years ago)

O RLY?

― jaymc (jaymc), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:47 (twenty years ago)

i was looking at those owls on rusty zipper this morning!!

― sunny successor (katharine), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:48 (twenty years ago)

YA RLY

― Dan (Xpost) Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:48 (twenty years ago)

Oh, please DO! Because, as you may already know, I've just realized that I LOVE OWLS.

I do prefer the real ones, but decorations will do. ESPECIALLY kitchen decorations.

― The Milkmaid (of human kindness) (The Milkmaid), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:49 (twenty years ago)

Stripey has stories about her dad's owl collection, which I haf seen with mine own eyes.

-- Ned Raggett (ne...), February 21st, 2006.

http://www.orlyowl.com/orly.jpg

― ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:49 (twenty years ago)

i was looking at those owls on rusty zipper this morning!!
-- sunny successor

i don't know what this is a euphemism for but big ups to pleasant plains

― j blount (papa la bas), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:50 (twenty years ago)

and wondering the same thing, btw. i remember a lot of macrame (sp?) pot holders in the 70s

― sunny successor (katharine), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:50 (twenty years ago)

that owl toilet seat is the greatest thing ever.

i must own one.

― otto midnight (otto midnight), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:50 (twenty years ago)

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00005QCTZ.01._PE10_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

― Redd Harvest (Ken L), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:52 (twenty years ago)

that was an x-post to myself

XPOST

― sunny successor (katharine), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:52 (twenty years ago)

Jeff Foxworthy and Jennifer Aniston

xpost

― Allyzay Rofflesberger (allyzay), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:53 (twenty years ago)

WHAT IS ON BABS' SHIRT

― Dan (Horror) Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:54 (twenty years ago)

momenschantz, duh.

― Allyzay Rofflesberger (allyzay), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:54 (twenty years ago)

george segal looked like that??????

― ,,,,,,,,,,, Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:55 (twenty years ago)

George Segal: Gay Accountant

― Dan (Fabulous Tax Advice) Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:56 (twenty years ago)

http://web.telia.com/~u40101705/owlthink.jpg

Sure, they represent wisdom, but why the 60s/70s?
Maybe it had something to do with the newfound interest in Native American culture?

― Sarah Madkitten McLusky (coco), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:58 (twenty years ago)

70s owls make me feel weird. as in, uncomfortable. and generally, brown. rec-rooms with wood paneling and thin-carpet-covered concrete floors. old winter coats with zippers that don't work. dampness. wtf, why did they have to make them so weird?

― rrrobyn (rrrobyn), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 19:59 (twenty years ago)

drugs?

― Allyzay Rofflesberger (allyzay), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 20:00 (twenty years ago)

dreamcatcher owl:
http://www.macramesuperstore.com/GraphicsOutsideofDatabase/Project_Images/dreamcatcher.jpg

― The Milkmaid (of human kindness) (The Milkmaid), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 20:00 (twenty years ago)

(Refraining from posting a cover shot of I Heard The Owl Call My Name)

― Redd Harvest (Ken L), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 20:01 (twenty years ago)

rrobyn, you are not the only one. on opening this thread i got an immediate childlike spooky boards-of-canadesque nostalgia. maybe it's something to do with the black unfazed gaze, but it's also the brown and orangeness of it all.

― Vintage Latin (dog latin), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 20:03 (twenty years ago)

A Treasury of Macrame Owls

― jaymc (jaymc), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 20:03 (twenty years ago)

― j blount (papa la bas), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 20:05 (twenty years ago)

if i click on that treasury of macrame owls, i'll probably start to cry.

yeah. yeah, that did it. brrrr.

― rrrobyn (rrrobyn), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 20:09 (twenty years ago)

http://weirdbabe.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/macrame_owls.jpg

― sunny successor (katharine), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 20:13 (twenty years ago)

whimper.

owl radio, aaah!
http://www.mildreds-antiques.com/images/Best_owlTurtle_Greg.jpg

― rrrobyn (rrrobyn), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 20:15 (twenty years ago)

rec-rooms with wood paneling and thin-carpet-covered concrete floors.

!!
this my parents' basement, with the added detail that the thin carpet is all psychedelic and has hopscotch squares and chess boards. also parcheesi or something.

― inert false cat (sleep), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 20:21 (twenty years ago)

o man a friend of mine when i was a kid had a carpet like that in his basement with this ornate pattern for a domino setup and i used to always think 'one of these days we're gonna make that dream a reality' but we never did :(

― j blount (papa la bas), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 20:23 (twenty years ago)

i used to love this book!!

http://www.frsd.k12.nj.us/newman/science/Owls/owl_resources/owl_re2.jpg

― s1ocki (slutsky), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 20:24 (twenty years ago)

There's been a hoot owl howling by my window now
For six nights in a row

― Redd Harvest (Ken L), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 20:27 (twenty years ago)

(xp) Was it indeed Farley Moway's most hilarious book?

― jaymc (jaymc), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 20:27 (twenty years ago)

Oh man, Bubo! (in rrrobyn's post). Clash of the Titans what?

― Steely Df'nM (OutDatWay), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 20:30 (twenty years ago)

(xp) i don't remember it being a comedy!

i had the same experience with ghostbusters

― s1ocki (slutsky), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 20:33 (twenty years ago)

Bubo? Is that what that's called? It reminds me of Hootbot a bit.

http://www.mallrat.com/uploaded_images/hoot-763650.jpg

What's funny is that I still have my Hootbot (and Spotbot)! But that's 80s owls.

― rrrobyn (rrrobyn), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 20:43 (twenty years ago)

i have a macrame owl. it's one of my prize possessions.

― i always wondered where my mandibula was! (Jody Beth Rosen), Tuesday, 21 February 2006 21:06 (twenty years ago)

Skipping 25 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

oh, right, Rice. Of course.

― rrrobyn (rrrobyn), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 02:12 (twenty years ago)

http://www.caamwo.com/savings/images/couche_tard_logo.gif

― rrrobyn (rrrobyn), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 02:13 (twenty years ago)

http://www.borntypea.com/images/owl.jpg

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 06:50 (twenty years ago)

If it weren't for the owls, we wouldn't have
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v640/LJlucan/jean_michel_jarre_-_equinoxe_-_fron.jpg

― Eazy (Eazy), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 07:04 (twenty years ago)

OWL IS THE NEW WOLF

― deru, Wednesday, 22 February 2006 07:57 (twenty years ago)

AIDS OWL!

― Le Baaderonixx de Clignancourt (baaderonixx), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 09:39 (twenty years ago)

ihttp://www.theseventhvoyage.com/images/Clash%20of%20the%20Titans/bubo1.jpg

― i am not a nugget (stevie), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 12:23 (twenty years ago)

Bubo clip!
http://www.theseventhvoyage.com/bubomovie.htm

― rrrobyn (rrrobyn), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 14:02 (twenty years ago)

My mum had a terrifying owl collection. After a while it even began to terrify her (our whole house resembled that JMJ album, the EYES following you everywhere argh) but once you're known for collecting something people JUST KEEP GIVING YOU THEM.

Reading this didn't help:
http://www.countrybookshop.co.uk/images/jackets/1999/0001024396.jpg

― Archel (Archel), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 14:06 (twenty years ago)

My parents had those round ceramic ones that jaymc just posted.

― jocelyn (Jocelyn), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 14:40 (twenty years ago)

This thread feels fuzzy and orange

― Le Baaderonixx de Clignancourt (baaderonixx), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 14:46 (twenty years ago)

http://www.reelcollectibles.com/art/props/bubo1.jpg

― jonviachicago, Wednesday, 22 February 2006 15:06 (twenty years ago)

My parents had those round ceramic ones that jaymc just posted.

My friend Renee just bought one. I found that photo on some woman's blog -- she said she found them at Pier One and was mocked by the cashier when she brought them to the register.

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 20:17 (twenty years ago)

what? but they're so cute! are they just things or are they salt&pepper shakers?

― rrrobyn (rrrobyn), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 20:23 (twenty years ago)

They're just things. They're much bigger than salt and pepper shakers -- the big one is maybe about 8-10 inches tall.

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 20:26 (twenty years ago)

He's a bit timeless, but I first met him in the seventies...

http://img322.imageshack.us/img322/5126/owl6vo.jpg

My grandfather grew his own grapes, and this guy hung out in the vines. Fake plastic animals give me the creeps anyway, but this guy is who I blame for starting it all.

This picture was taken after he got moved to the yard. Still creepy.

(I still see fake plastic owls all over town. I'll take my chances with the real defecating birds, thanks.)

― Pleasant Plains /// (Pleasant Plains ///), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 20:29 (twenty years ago)

well that takes the freakin' cake.

yeah, i think i like those owl things, but not nec 8-10" tall - smaller size retains more cuteness, creates less weird-owl-disturbance (for me). i really like how everything about them is round.

― rrrobyn (rrrobyn), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 20:36 (twenty years ago)

i like the wooden ones, like the one above that have been pecked into nothingness by angry birds, makes me happy, it does

― Anthony Easton, Wednesday, 22 February 2006 20:57 (twenty years ago)

If it weren't for the owls, we wouldn't have

B-b-but those are people with binoculars!

― The Equator Lounge (Chris Barrus), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 21:59 (twenty years ago)

http://www.sutherla.dircon.co.uk/7-eleven/USA/7-rooster.jpg http://www.sutherla.dircon.co.uk/7-eleven/USA/11-owl.jpg

― zaxxon25 (zaxxon25), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 22:34 (twenty years ago)

that Hootbot thing looks awesome. Was it some sort of learning tool, or am I conflating it with the Little Professor?

― sgs (sgs), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 22:37 (twenty years ago)

Story of O fits in here somewhere. Dead Kennedys?

"The" Owls also a great Minneapolis band
http://www.theowls.net/

― Pete Scholtes (Pete Scholtes), Thursday, 23 February 2006 01:12 (twenty years ago)

sgs, it was a toy in the 80s. there were a whole bunch of little robot toy s that did similar things to those toy dogs that would yap along and then flip over. each robot did a different thing. i can't vouch for hootbot but spotbot would be able to walk along and not bump into corners cos it had a sensor.

in those days, this kind of thing was very coool to 7 year olds. it makes me kind of sad really.

― dog latin (dog latin), Thursday, 23 February 2006 01:18 (twenty years ago)

ihttp://photos.photosig.com/photos/56/18/1641856-2ee3260be974f010.jpg

They just caught the giant Eagle Owl that was devouring the UK's poodles.

http://news.scotsman.com/scitech.cfm?id=215082006

― andy --, Thursday, 23 February 2006 01:19 (twenty years ago)

So, my mom's theory was that it all started with those fake owls meant to scare about pigeons. Before you knew it, they were inside houses too and taking over.

One sister thinks it all started with The Who.

Last night on That 70s show I noticed owls in the kitchen set.

― Sarah Madkitten McLusky (coco), Thursday, 23 February 2006 01:57 (twenty years ago)

http://www.smallfilms.co.uk/bagpuss/yaffle.jpg

― Zora (Zora), Thursday, 23 February 2006 11:27 (twenty years ago)

He's not an owl but this thread made me think of him.

― Zora (Zora), Thursday, 23 February 2006 11:28 (twenty years ago)

O noes I have killed the thread with my non owl

― Zora (Zora), Thursday, 23 February 2006 23:09 (twenty years ago)

"The owls are not what they seem."

― soukesian, Thursday, 23 February 2006 23:41 (twenty years ago)

Mark and I saw a freaky owl in Vienna last weekend...

― sgs (sgs), Thursday, 23 February 2006 23:42 (twenty years ago)

This one, sgs?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v222/biondino/owl.jpg

― Markelby (Mark C), Friday, 24 February 2006 00:06 (twenty years ago)

Ah bollocks. Forgot to shrink it, then. Sorry all.

― Markelby (Mark C), Friday, 24 February 2006 00:09 (twenty years ago)

Owl freakiness amplified! oops.

― sgs (sgs), Friday, 24 February 2006 00:15 (twenty years ago)

ten months pass...

Destroying Old Woodsy Owl Costumes
- Guidelines

― Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Tuesday, 16 January 2007 20:21 (nineteen years ago)

Poor old 70s-icon Woodsy

http://www.symbols.gov/woodsy/costume/oldcostume/images/woodsy-poster.jpg

is being replaced with this creepy looking guy:

http://www.symbols.gov/woodsy/costume/images/care1.jpg

― Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Tuesday, 16 January 2007 20:23 (nineteen years ago)

what the fuck

― geoff (gcannon), Tuesday, 16 January 2007 20:23 (nineteen years ago)

"symbols.gov"??

― geoff (gcannon), Tuesday, 16 January 2007 20:24 (nineteen years ago)

what's with the gang-banger prison look?

― Dr. Alicia D. Titsovich (sexyDancer), Tuesday, 16 January 2007 20:25 (nineteen years ago)

He's owl Poochie!

― accentmonkey (accentmonkey), Tuesday, 16 January 2007 20:29 (nineteen years ago)

What was the deal with OWLS in the 70s?

Possibly something to do with these guys? (cool owl burning photos at 3:30).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRjKyUYKfG4&mode=related&search=

― everything (everything), Tuesday, 16 January 2007 20:33 (nineteen years ago)

I'm having trouble seeing the owl but apparently it's in there somewhere:

http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Evils%20in%20Government/Federal%20Reserve%20Scam/dollar_owl.jpg

― everything (everything), Tuesday, 16 January 2007 20:36 (nineteen years ago)

Capitol hill from above:

http://thebiggestsecretpict.online.fr/nwo/capitol_owl.jpg

― everything (everything), Tuesday, 16 January 2007 20:40 (nineteen years ago)

On the map:

http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/hardtruth/washington_owl.jpg

― everything (everything), Tuesday, 16 January 2007 20:42 (nineteen years ago)

MEANWHILE...

Once is happenstance.
Twice is coincidence.
Three times is enemy action.
- from Goldfinger by Ian Fleming, who achieved the rank of Commander in British Naval Intelligence.

Rumors are sweeping throughout Kashmir of a mystery millionaire who will pay a high bounty on the capture of giant owls. Now we hear that some are saying this is just a cover story for the CIA. That this news is related to the hunt for bin Laden.

Does this sound like something from the covert intelligence days of millionaire Tom Slick in that part of the world? Why are two other "giant owl" stories being reported from two other parts of the world at the same time? Is there twilight language being broadcast in these news items? What’s going on here?

I have written on how cryptid searching has been used to hide spying (see here, for example). It seems all of that kind of factual crypto-spying is behind a somewhat tongue-in-cheek suggestion at "CIA Disinformation Tracks Bin Laden With Overweight Owl Rumors" to explain what is going on in Kashmir right now.

But don’t laugh. Those that joke may be trying to conceal a deeper truth. Is all this about hiding in plain sight? Some details on the Kashmir owl story can be found in the Indo-Asian News Service for January 14, 2007:

A bizarre rumour in Jammu and Kashmir that an owl weighing over three kilograms can turn its owner into a millionaire has spread like wild fire in the rest of northern India. The Srinagar office of IANS is receiving scores of telephone calls daily from northern India, with callers desperate to know the contact numbers of the mysterious man who has offered a fortune for such owls. And at least one Hindi newspaper that carried the original story says its phone lines are literally jammed.

People are even capturing some owls weighing nearly 7 pounds, hoping to get some money off their efforts from the mystery millionaire.

"Sir, I have an owl weighing 3.1 kilo. The bird is in good health and unharmed. Please tell me where is it to be delivered so that I can collect my reward," pleaded Naresh Kumar, who said he was calling from New Delhi.

Reporters are having trouble tracking the rumors down.

Those making the queries about the dream merchant who floated the rumour about the million-rupee owl are not just the ordinary citizens. Many journalists too are eager to interview either the elusive owl buyer or simply some of the locals who have been braving the winter chill in Kashmir to chase an owl in the state’s northern parts.

As to the photo at the top of the blog, it is a very real bird. During the last month, headlines have blared the news, "Giant Owl Terrorizing Community In England."

The Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) is a species of horned owl found throughout Europe and Asia.

Concurrently with the rumors coming out of Kashmir, over in the United Kingdom, another "giant" owl has been attacking people. But are the reports somewhat more colorful that real? Nevertheless, these news items are getting people’s attention. For example, on January 11th, the media noted: "A giant eagle owl is reported to be terrorizing residents in Middlesborough, England. With its 5-ft wingspan, the bird can easily pick up foxes, small dogs and deer."

Meanwhile, during all this, skeptic Joe Nickell was floating about his newest "giant owl" explanation theory to debunk yet another unknown entity. This means that Nickell has now used owls to explain: (1) Mothman sightings; (2) Flatwoods Monster sightings; and now (3) Kelly creatures sightings. Even his fellow skeptics must see how worn out that tired old bird is getting! Or maybe Joe Nickell is a spy?

Are all of these stories nothing more than coded messages being sent out by MI6, MI5, ONI, or the CIA on the wings of giant owls? Less we forget, the character picked out by Ian Fleming named Bond, James Bond, was inspired by an American ornithologist, the author of Birds of the West Indies.

― Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Tuesday, 16 January 2007 21:04 (nineteen years ago)

That thing on the one is a SPIDER, dammit. It's what made the webwork!

symbols.gov = Duane Delacourt did not die in vain!

― Casuistry (Chris P), Tuesday, 16 January 2007 22:48 (nineteen years ago)

http://www.greekcoins.gr/hounda/1df.jpgBlame Athena. She started it.

― Aimless (Aimless), Wednesday, 17 January 2007 00:57 (nineteen years ago)

five years pass...

http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyze3mNqpA1rnk97ro1_500.png

― smartmouthnewbie (captain rosie), Monday, 5 March 2012 21:55 (thirteen years ago)

I'm oddly pleased by the surprising number of different owl threads in ILX

― Not only dermatologists hate her (James Morrison), Tuesday, 6 March 2012 00:30 (thirteen years ago)

i have decorative foam wall owl that is exactly like this little dude, except he is not attached to a corresponding bigger dude:

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj242/donaldparsley/foamowl.jpg

owls are obviously the best because they are extremely wise and woodsy type guys. they are hella 70s because they relate well to macrame. when i was a kid, my gramma had a neighbor lady who was super old and crazy. she lived in a tiny house by herself, away from the main family house, and all she did was paint owls. hundreds and hundreds of angry staring owls on black backgrounds. one time, at a party, she threw a handful of shotgun shells into the fire in order to clear the room. it worked. eventually she burned her house down. subsequently there have been hauntings.

― meticulously showcased in a stunning fart presentation (contenderizer), Tuesday, 6 March 2012 00:39 (thirteen years ago)

holy shit

― dell (del), Tuesday, 6 March 2012 00:45 (thirteen years ago)

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