Just going to starting trying some birds and thought I would really make it tough and try using an articifical head as well...I ordered a Barn Owl head from Research, as well as a pair of purple/black-blown glass eyes for this mount I am doing for myself...now they are here and I have a question. Since the artificial head comes ready to accept an eye with a smooth back, I assume I will have to drill a hole into the head to accept the back/nipple of the blown glass eyes, but how much clay work should I expect to have to do around the eyes? I am hoping that this will be clearer when I skin the Owl, but I don't want to have any surprises at the last minute either...Any help or input is appreciated.
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Wrong color eyes to start with. Read the list in most of the supply books.
Now call the Game Warden and ask for your permit to mount it!
Maybe ask the Game Warden to come over and look at the bird, thats what I would do.
Wrong color eyes to start with. Read the list in most of the supply books.
Now call the Game Warden and ask for your permit to mount it!
Maybe ask the Game Warden to come over and look at the bird, thats what I would do.
John:
You know...I am about the easiest guy going but I must respond to your post. Thanks for your somewhat less then helpful advise...For your info I am using the purple bubble eyes based upon adivse from Tony (see note below), perhaps you have seen some of his winning mounts at the masters competitions...or read articles that reference him in Breakthrough...(Dark Brown or Black
This response submitted by Tony Finazzo on 5/24/02. ( finazducks@aol.com ) 198.81.23.43
Dark Brown or black work well. Purple bubble eyes look awesome in a barn owl.Measure the outside ring of the cornea to get the size.
Tony)
In response to your other note, I own the bird...here in Canada we can get permits to own such critters...in fact...I have several...and I am a 'warden' as you put put it, but here we call ouselves Conservation Officers. I am also a biologist by day and trying to be a taxidermist by night...oops for you eh?
I hope that other who read this...as well as yourself, remember that those of us who are beginning or somewhat inexperienced in this profession are looking for helpful advise and pointers in the right direction such as George always provides...yours post certainly was neither.
Hope you have a happier New Year!
I am sorry to be late in answering the post correctly. I often let incorrect information slide because many people see me on this forum as an instigator only attacking certain people on the forum. In truth, I end up dis-agreeing with those that are often thought of as always posting correct answers - but because they post so many correct answers, occassionally a mistake is made.
Your choice of the Glass Bubble eye, be it dark brown or purple black, is correct as Tony informed you. Owl skulls are constructed to not allow the eyes to rotate within the sockets - i.e. a fixed position inside the sclerotic ring. I have not ever seen an artificial owl skull, but have personally skinned either for study skins, mounts, or skeletons well over 200 owls, but I assume the cast is identical to a real one. In this case, the sclerotic rings are present, but as you say, the back does not accept the bubble eye. In this case, simply grind out the back with a dremel tool, or cut it out with a scalpel, so that 1/2 of the intented sphere is visible. Do not try to chip off the back of the bubble to allow it to fit, as it often cracks the whole eye. I often set my eyes in hot glue and use absolutely no clay on the head at all.
I wish you had left your email so that I could have sent information without contradicting John C. - who must have thought you meant a different species of Owl.
Good Luck
First, I need to say I am not trying to stir the pot, but add information. I have not seen Stephans Owl heads so, I can only tell you about the ones I make. Owl eyes don't rotate in the socket. Barns owls especially and some other owls have an addaptation that makes the eyes appear to set on a pedistal. Pardon my ignorance of the correct anatomical name of it, but it serves as a base for the eyes and it is not part of the skull. I include that Pedical (my name for it) in the cast. I think it is very difficult to get the eyes correct, even with the natural skull without it. If you use bubble eyes you need to drill the socket deeper. If you use a flat back eye you don't.
hope this helps
Tony