Great Horned Owl Rescue

Care for the Wild Ones

Sometimes, I think wildlife photographers are led in the path of animals in order to preserve a rare moment and share that beauty with others.  Last week when I was coming back from my early morning walk, I noticed what I thought was a large tan cat sitting under the ramp of my neighbor’s front deck. When I came closer, to my surprise, I discovered that it was a great horned owl.  A little later, my neighbor came out with her dog and I noticed that the owl hadn’t flown off and was just walking around. 

It was determined that this owl had an injured wing and could not fly.  The owl needed medical attention and the Wild Animal Infirmary for Nevada was located in Carson City, a two hours drive from here.  I went in to start making phone calls and was informed that the owl would have to be transported to the Klaich Veterinary Hospital in Reno where it could be examined by a bird specialist. With birds and children, the sooner the injuries are treated, the better. 

To catch the owl, a blanket was gently draped over its head and body, then it was carefully lifted and placed in a large dog carrier.   To make the 2 hour drive, the owl would need to be secured in a snug, dark box where it could not move and receive further injury.  Once the box was adapted with air holes, the owl was carefully coaxed from the dog carrier to the box.  So far, everything was going as planned.  

After arriving back home that night, the call came in that the owl had to be euthanized.  The injuries to the wing were so severe and over the course of time, infection had set in.  It was very sad and disheartening news to hear that this once healthy beautiful female bird could not be rehabilitated.  So often with the birds of prey, the injuries will heal and the birds can be set back out to their freedom and usually in the area from which they came.   

Migratory birds, including great horned owls are protected from removal, hunting and commercial trade under the Migratory Bird Act.  It is illegal to harm the birds, their nests, the eggs and their feathers.  If you should ever come upon an injured bird of prey, please do not approach the bird unless you have been trained to do so.  Furthermore, if you do not have a raptor rehabilitation center in your area, it is best to call your state or countries wildlife agency to arrange transport of the injured bird. 

While the owl was in the dog carrier, I carefully took some photos of its beautiful face and eyes. I feel that I ask permission of the animal for photos when the animal remains still and we make eye contact.  Though the owl did not survive its injuries, its beauty will be preserved in the photos so that we may all be brought closer to the wonders of our natural environment.

 Photographs Make Great Gifts

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

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Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

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