This large (about a 6 feet tall figure with a large base, not shown) carved wooden owl was found along the central Florida coast in the mire of the marshland. It was preserved because no oxygen would attack it in the thick mud. Carved by the Timucuan indians it was likely some sort of idol because the eyes have a human iris set into them and the feet are five toes instead of three talons. One of the oldest pre-Columbian artifacts yet discovered. The main thing about the owl is that it is striking. Perhaps the neatest part of our visit to the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve. I cropped the photo quite a lot because the background was so busy and distracting. The owl deserves a better display.