Barred Owls Released

August 5th, 2006

One of the items up for bids at the silent auction during the Gala Dinner was the opportunity to participate in the release of a rehabilitated critter. Wayne and Joyce Kohnen were the lucky bidders for a pair of Barred Owls that had been blown out of their nests during a June storm. They were not injured but were too young to fly. Today was the day they took to the air and became Wild and Free again.

Here's Katie giving Wayne instructions for handling the owl. Notice the gloves Wayne is wearing to protect him from the sharp talons and beak.

Here is a series showing the owl being set free.

Next it was Joyce's turn to release the second owl. I'm not sure but I think Wayne is giving her a few pointers after his release experience. The spectators waited patiently.

Here is a series of pictures of Joyce's release of the second owl.

There were a couple of small birds ready to be released so Katie brought them out and Wayne and Joyce's granddaughter got to participate in a "hands on" way also.

One of the released owls came back and sat on the fence to watch us for a while.

The other one wasn't that interested in what we were doing.

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