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Freedom and More

6/21/2014

The Red Tail Hawk referred to as Grunt was released this morning and disappeared into the trees before the camera could click. His flight was perfectly level and he moved like a rocket. I didn't explain the "grunt" name and have been questioned about it. A grunt is a slang term for an infantryman and since he was hiking down the road like an infantryman he got named Grunt. So for all you Marines with an 03 mos and Army with 11bravo mos this birds for you!

Here are a couple very shots of the Ban owl siblings. These 2 are on a perch and the 3rd one is on the ground trying to eat AJ's shoes (a most aggressive little guy). Notice the down still protruding from under the feathers. They are not used to being in the light, they are in a covered flight pen that reduces light. Barn Owls prefer the dark.

The next picture is of the aggressive little "shoe eater". In 20 plus years of working with Barn owls I have never seen tis level of aggression in an owl this age. He managed to self release the next night and is now the 1/2 of the 3 1/2 Barnies in rehab. This above shot shows details of their coloration.

The next picture is a very good detailed picture of the 3 GHO babies. Notice at the furry feet.

Hope you enjoy these great photos. Compliments of Tom and Aj.

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Barnies, and Parliaments ?

6/20/2014

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Hopefully the other pictures will show soon. For now I have to push forward because the news is pilling up.

It was mentioned on the Bubba and Friends, Inc facebook page that we receive a cooper's hawk that died in our hands. A few minutes after he died rigor mortis set in quickly. While continuing to exam him for injuries I noticed blood coming out of the mouth. I collected some in a teaspoon, because the spoon was handy, with the intent of making a smear for microscopy. The blood never clotted, even in the very warm temperatures. Warfarin aka rat poison is an anti clotting agent. This substance kills by causing the mouse/rat to bleed to death, the death is not instantaneous. While rodent is thrashing about dying a hunger raptor , or your dog or cat, comes by and ingests part or all of the rodent. Warfarin doesn't break down but is transmitted through the carcass into the next animal beginning the process again. I am 90% sure this death was due to warfarin. Please be careful if you must use this product and do no sprinkle it around the base of bird feeder poles to stop the squirrels. Have heard from a couple sources that this sprinkling is a recommended solution to squirrels and feeder problems. It's not a solution.

This is the backside of a beautiful juvenile male red tail hawk. Notice the tail is not red, the tail becomes red after first moult. This fellow has a "fractured wrist", the bones are out of alignment. With a wrap and a good food he should be releaseable in a couple of weeks.

This is one of two Juvenile red shoulder hawks that we have received in intake. There are two in the flight pen but one refuses to sit on a perch while pictures are being taken. Both are this years hatch and have finally lost the last of the down, adult feathers are taking over.

This is "Grunt", a 1st year Red Tail found "hiking" on Interstate 75 south below Macon. He had a fractured which is healed and he is in flight conditioning. He has very gorgeous coloration in the sunlight.

The juvy Great Horned Owls are continuing to grow. Notice the one on the left finally has "horns". Horns are just tufts of feathers on top of the head, they aren't sharp nor do they contribute to hearing. In Victorian times a group of owls was called a "parliament", a title given in honor of their alleged wisdom. I think it's perfect name because like a Parliament these guys get very little done too!

Who me?

31/2 Barnies

We got in 3 barn owls from Laurens Wildlife.1 has self released but is still coming in for food every evening. These 3 are a sibling group ( Jim that means they are kin!) and stay together , the one who is half in rehab comes in to get his food when these 2 get fed.

The other one is not part of this family group and cannot be placed with them. He also becomes very distressed when you point a camera at him.( Sue have you figured out the 3 1/2 in rehab?)

Hopefully all 4 will be able to get along in the wild. Possible release sites are already being evaluated as their graduation day is approaching.

We have, locally, a place where we have permission to do Raptor programs. Details are being worked out and a dry run is in progress. I am excited about this as we can do 3-4 programs a year and can do special programs for our supporters. More details to come.

We are suppose to be in Georgia Trends magazine in July. Candace Dyer wrote an article and borrowed some pictures. Can you imagine us in a real magazine?

Note- At the top of this page their is place for comments. Click on it and leave a comment. I can answer your questions right here... on this very website. Ain't it a wonderment? Think I have be hanging around Parliament to long.

God bless...

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Freedom and More

Barnies, and Parliaments ?

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