Walking Spike

Last week I took Spike for a walk as enrichment. He seemed to enjoy it and we walked all the way to the office. Along the way he investigated everything! I have also been adding maple branches to his enclosure which he LOVES!

Enjoying some maple browse!

Checking out my camera - the dot under his eye is a wood tick

YUM! Maple!

Gibwanasii's First Program

Tonight Gibwanasii did his first raptor program! It was a little rough at the beginning but once he settled down he did great! I am so proud of my little buddy and glad all our hard work paid off :)

Teaching

Picture time after teaching the 5th graders about falcons

Canoe Paddle

Me and the Paddle I hand made!

For the past month, I have been working on making a canoe paddle by hand. One of the volunteers at the center teaches people how to make bent-shaft canoe paddles and I have been going over to his house to work on it. I finally finished it this week and I must say, its pretty AWESOME! I learned how to use a bunch of new tools and didn't even injury myself! Okay that is a lie. I did need a band-aid once but that is doing pretty well for me :) Anyways, I am excited to get out on the water this beauty!

My paddle

Close up of the blade

A deer I made while waiting for my varnish to dry!

Osprey!

There has been lots of action on the Osprey this past week - I was lucky enough to get a few pictures of them. We heard a bunch of calling and they occasionally perched on the platform but none have started nesting. Unfortunately, its getting a bit late in the year for a pair to nest but it certainly is a good sign for next year!

2 Osprey - the one on the left has a fish!

Still circling

Osprey - probably a female based on the markings on the chest

Walk in the Woods

Went for a hike on the property for the first time in quite awhile. There were signs of spring everywhere and there were already a few flowers popping up. Gave me a chance to clear my head - now if only the flies would disappear!

Home Remodel

Well, its spring time and for many wild critters that means time to build your nest. Even our captive critters are getting in the act! Delilah is busy rearranging her home :)

Owl Release

Yesterday, I was lucky enough to watch 2 immature male snowy owls be released on the Audubon Center property. These birds were brought up by The Raptor Center so they could begin their migration north. It is always great to see the birds return to the wild!

One of the owls right before release

 

Jeff releasing the owl

It landed in a tree and immediately got mobbed by crows!

There is also a video of the release if you want to watch it: Snowy Release