Nov 17, 2005

We released 2 birds this morning at 10:30, a Rough Legged Hawk and a Bald Eagle.   Here's Dr. Deb getting ready to hand the hawk to Tom who will do the actual release.

Tom has a firm grip on the legs so he can control those big nasty talons.  He's going to throw the bird up into the air in just a few seconds.

And away it goes.......(picture by Viv Clark)

After a successful launch the hawk flew to a tree about 100 yards away and rested for a bit before it took off again. (Picture by Bob Manary)

The Bald Eagle that's being released was caught in what's known as a "leg hold" trap.  That's the type that spreads apart 2 jaws with teeth and then snaps shut on whatever is unlucky enough to step in it.  This eagle had apparently decided to take the bait that was on the trap and it snapped shut on one of its toes.  Even though these traps are supposed to be secured so that the trapped animal can't go away with it, this one was not.  The eagle pulled it loose and flew into a tree.  When it landed, the chain that was supposed to secure the trap wrapped around a branch and the eagle was caught in the tree and couldn't get loose.  The tree had to be cut down to save the eagle.  It was brought to Dr. Deb and she had to amputate the toe that had been caught.  After the surgery, some antibiotics, and a suitable period of rest for healing the bird was ready to be released back into the wild.

Here's Josh with the eagle.  He's a lot happier than the bird!

Here he has just thrown the bird into the air and it hasn't had time to make the first flap of its wings.

Up, up, and away.....

After it got a little air under its wings it made a turn and came back over the top of the people gathered to watch.

It kept on turning and eventually made 270 degrees and headed out over Bay Lake.  A very cool thing to watch.

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jl