Thursday, January 15, 2009

The Big Rescue

My husband has always been very interested in preserving the land and wildlife. Over the years he has brought home tons of turtles, rescued several birds, and observed and in some cases left food for the area wildlife. He likes to create a kind of safe haven or sanctuary for the animals.



Great Horned Owl on the side of the road


On Monday, my mom spotted a large owl on the side of the road on her way to work. Then again on Tuesday morning, there it was again. My mom mentions seeing this bird to my dad, my dad went to go check it out, and informed my hubby of the owl. Once my husband found out about the owl he and my dad were to the rescue. My husband was able to get to the owl relatively easy.




Hubby rescuing the owl


Be careful of those sharp talons...



Playing Dead?...

The owl turned out to be a Great Horned Owl, it was truly beautiful. It was injured, possibly not able to fly, and one of his eyes was definitely injured. After we googled over it, my sister took the bird to the Tri State Wildlife Rescue, two hours away. Our hope are high that they will be able to save this great creature.


Getting ready to go the the wildlife sanctuary
Although we were able to intervene and his fate is still unknown...my heart is heavy when I think of what could have happened to this owl had it not been rescued. We treat our pets so well and take great care of them, I only wish it could be the same for all animals. While I know that this is they way that mother nature has intended, it almost seems cruel. Then I ask myself, should we intervene or just let nature take it's course?


5 comments:

  1. The great horned owl was truly beautiful and majestic. While I was transporting him to the bird sanctuary I quietly peaked through his blankets into his crate. He turned and looked at me with his great big eye. Wow! He was huge and beautiful! I parked my car once I got to the bird sanctuary and took one last hopeful look at him. I thought this is the closest I have ever been to a great horned owl and how breath taking its beauty is. Hopefully, he will survive. If my father and bother in law had not rescued him he surely would have froze to death since it’s suppose to dip down to 9 degrees tonight. The bird rescue told me he had to have been badly damaged if he was easy to catch. I also have a soft spot for animals in need either hurt or neglected. Anyone who knows me can attest to that.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What an amazing story! An amazing encounter and meaningful on a symbolic level, too. Owl is the symbol of wisdom; the Greek goddess of Wisdom, Athena is pictured with an owl on her shoulder. This owl revealed the truth to her, when others would not speak it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow, kudos to your husband! What a beautiful bird.

    ReplyDelete
  4. WOOHOO to the hubby!! We live beside a creek and have also had to rescue birds once in a while. We too have a sanctuary near by that we can take them to.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow! The best thing in my backyard is the occasional turkey.

    ReplyDelete