Okay, I'm not sure what this thing was, but it took a cow out of the pasture down the road from here on Sunday afternoon. I was just coming out of the convenience store, having rented a movie, and this big shadow went over everything. I figured it was a cloud passing over, but then I heard wingbeats. Big ones. I looked up and saw a bird about the size of...well...not as big as a 747, but maybe about 2/3 that size? It had a fairly eagle-like head, but the neck was decorated with a sort of ring of larger feathers that stood out from the rest. The wings and tail were a very dark brown with pale yellow bar patterns underneath.

So the thing did a pass at a few hundred feet up and circled the pasture across the road. It was clearly taking a good look at the herd of cows, Guernseys, that are usually to be seen over there at any given time.

The cows continued grazing in their typical placid fashion. The bird suddenly seemed to make up its mind, swooped down, stretched forth its gigantic talons, and siezed the fattest cow around the middle. This created pandemonium. The cow bellowed frantically and waved its legs around as it was hauled skyward, and the rest of the herd scattered in all directions in a blind panic. Some guy that was going by in a four-by-four lost control, spun around a couple of times, and ended up in the ditch.

The bird then flapped vigorously and ascended with the bellowing cow securely grasped and headed off to the Northwest. It finally disappeared into some low clouds, but one could still hear the cow's despairing cries faintly for at least a minute longer. Then they faded out.

So...whaddya think it was?