Flying High Again

Every animal that finds its way into a wildlife rehab facility is special and is treated with the utmost of care and respect. But every once in a while you meet one that you never forget.

Today was release day for a beautiful Great Horned Owl, and I arrived at The Owl Foundation to pick him up and bring him back with me.  Before I left I was given this owl's history and realized that this one was extra special.

He had been found tangled in some fencing (an all too common occurrence) and had a severely damaged tendon.  While it was determined he would survive, he was also in all likelihood non-releasable because he would never be able to successfully hunt for food. So best case, he would live his life out at TOF and become a foster dad to next year's orphaned baby Great Horneds.  Much better than the alternative, but never the desired outcome.

When he was admitted, TOF decided to give him a month to see if there was any chance for release.  A month passed and surprisingly, there was a tiny bit of improvement, so they decided to wait another month. 

At the end of that month, a tiny bit more improvement....and so it went.

There were two big obstacles to overcome:  could he ever hunt on his own, and could he turn in flight.

Well this owl defied all odds and not only did he start successfully hunting on his own, he started turning in his flight cage!

TOF cared for this bird for 1.5 years!  Never giving up, always being teased by the little bit of improvement they saw month after month.

Tonight I had the great honour of releasing him.  I was nervous about it...would his flight be strong, would he stick the landing...would he be ok in a forest on his own?   

When he was released he stormed out of that kennel cab, you could feel the power in his flight (though you couldn't hear it); he not only landed in a tree but maneuvered through limbs to choose his branch. He then flew back toward where we were standing, carving through the air.  At one point he jumped straight up off his branch and in mid air, changed direction.  

I've never seen such a display in agility in all the owls I've released - most typically fly into a tree and then you lose them.  It was like he had something to prove, showing us that he was every bit as able as he used to be, and he did it with such strength and confidence.  It seemed like he had never left that forest, showing no sign of trepidation at all.

I'm so grateful to TOF for doing what they do, and for believing every single creature deserves a fighting chance.  Amazing job ladies!

And to be able to share this release with two friends, Janice and Craig, who I know were every bit as moved as I was made it even more special.  What a great night!

Nature's Instincts: Release of Two Young Wood Ducks

I am always amazed at how young animals that are not raised by their parents adapt so quickly once back in the wild, even though they never had the benefit of learning from mom or dad.

Today I released two young wood ducks that were raised by Toronto Wildlife Centre, after having been brought in as orphans.  These wood ducks were the size of fuzzy tennis balls when admitted yet within moments of being released, they were finding lots of food and seemed quite comfortable in the marsh.

They were a bit cautious when they left the kennel cab...

But that changed when they discovered all the food waiting to be discovered.

Within a few minutes they had several snacks, but this one hit the jackpot when it found a mollusk! They explored 15 feet from shore for several minutes.  And once their bellies were full, they made their way to more open water to start their new lives.

Such a great release, and thanks to TWC for giving them a second chance!

August 2013 Marsh Life

I'm really behind in my blogging!  Here are some photos from recent marsh visits.

Fun with Pups

Never a dull moment with our three pups!

Tessa the German Shepherd-ess

Tessa is a distinguished older girl who likes to take long rests on the dock, woof at people who may or may not belong on the property, and snuggle with her mom.  I had the privilege of spending some time with her on the weekend and couldn't resist taking a few (hundred) shots.

Tessa just heard the joke about the cat that goes into a bar...

Beautiful pup!

Tessa with Mom

Thanks for being such a great host this weekend, Tessa!

Osprey in the Kawarthas

It's Osprey Country in the Kawarthas.   They are everywhere - in nests tending to young, fishing, and flying back and forth with food or twigs to further embellish their nests.

No words can add to the experience of being in the presence of these majestic birds. 

Annual visit to the Osprey nest

Every year I visit a pair of Osprey who nest 45 minutes from my house.   Usually the photo ops aren't great because the nest is pretty high up, but I enjoy watching and learning about them (though I secretly hoped to get even a distant photo of one of the parents bringing a fish to the nest).

Mama Osprey and I waited for 45 minutes for dad to bring her breakfast and, despite my diligence in constantly scanning the skies, he somehow delivered grub to the nest without me seeing.  I watched the couple for a few minutes and then started to pack up my gear, wishing them a successful clutch and feeling a little outsmarted.  But the male must have taken pity on me because he suddenly left the nest, still carrying the fish I thought had already been consumed, and flew toward me, slowly glided overhead for several minutes.  I wouldn't have even known had I not seen his shadow on the ground in front of me.

I managed to snap a few photos despite my excitement.

Male soaring overhead with fish

Did you get your shot yet??

Mom and I waited patiently for dad to bring breakfast

White-Tailed Deer / Taking Photos with Friends

Despite my best efforts to be really quiet when I'm photographing nature, stealth doesn't come easy.  Sticks crack underfoot no matter how hard I try.  So how is it that a 250+ lb deer can sneak up on me?  Make that two!

This is now the fourth time that I`ve been absorbed in taking photos in this forest, which is adjacent to a marsh, when deer have joined in.  This time I was crouched on the shore photographing trumpeter swans when I felt suddenly like I was being watched.  When I turned around I saw two large buck curiously looking at me, about 25 feet away.  How is it that I didn't hear a thing?

We checked each other out and assessed any possible threats, but all parties decided we could coexist in the same forest.  Though I certainly kept my eye on them more than they did on me!

This beautiful buck was one of two that was slowly approaching me as I was taking photos of swans.

At one time he swished his tail and opened his ears and I admit I was more than a little nervous!

We mutually determined that as long as we all respected each other's space,
we could share the forest with non issue (thankfully!).

A few weeks earlier I was in the same forest taking photos along the shore and three female deer did the same thing.  Once they decided I wasn't going to hurt them, they snacked on leaves and berries 30 feet away from me - really special to have the opportunity to observe them in a comfortable state in their natural habitat.

One of three sneaky deer watching me take photos in the same forest back in May.

That's one of the many things I love about wildlife photography - you never know who is going to show up!

You just never know / Eastern Kingbird

Bad weather doesn't discourage me from going out and shooting even though, usually, the result is a lot of  "delete, delete, delete".   But rain enhances nature's colours, and the higher ISO can create a painting-like effect in certain lighting conditions.

Sometimes you get lucky! 

Taken on a gloomy, rainy morning.