I have just revealed in Alan Garner, Flower Maidens and Gothic Creatures that this week’s gothic creature is the owl. I’ve always been an enormous fan of Ray Harryhausen (1920-2013), the American visual effects creator, who invented stop motion model animation. His genius brought us The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958) and Jason and the Argonauts (1963), featuring a famous sword fight with seven skeleton warriors. One of his less celebrated and most magical creations is Bubo, the mechanical golden owl, who was sent by the Gods of Olympus to aid Perseus on his quest in Clash of the Titans (1981). I was absolutely mesmerised by this as a child and it still enchants:
I am also currently obsessed by this wonderfully eccentric, rather excitable, gothtastic owl which was Tweeted by a would-be David Attenborough (@Attenboroughs_D). One can only imagine what mischief he is capable of. I’m so pleased with my choice of gothic animal. Do get in touch with any suggestions of representations of owls that might feature!
I have never seen a more suspicious looking owl. One cannot imagine what nefarious deeds he's about to commit pic.twitter.com/5XSxUG5Q3s
— D Attenborough (@Attenboroughs_D) October 5, 2017
