HAPPY NEW YEAR!

January 2, 2008

 Here's a really good way to start the new year.  Today, we released 2 rehabilitated owls back into the wild.  Both of these owls came to us with broken wings caused by having a run in with an automobile.  Under Dr Deb's excellent care they both recovered fully.

  The first owl to regain its freedom was a Barred Owl.  You may have noticed that almost all of our owl pictures show birds with big yellow eyes.  The barred owl is the only one of the large owls to have gray eyes.  You can see that it's using its big gray eyes to give Chris a thorough look.

It keeps its eyes on her as she begins the release.

As she lets go of its legs it gives the first flap of its wings.

And away it goes, free again.

The second owl to be released is one of the most recognizable of the large owls.  The ear tufts may have had something to do with naming this owl the Great Horned Owl.

Chris takes a step forward to begin the release.

Her arm starts up and the owl prepares to fly.

A couple of wing beats and it gains altitude rapidly.

No words are necessary for these last 2 pictures.

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jl