We ended up at the dog park at Armleder (are we the only people who go to dog parks without our dogs?).
We met lots of nice dogs (and a few that needed more attention from their owners...why don't people who own dogs learn about dog behavior????).
This is Greta...a perfect copy of Nellie. (a few years younger, anyway)
Acted like Nellie, too. Didn't want to venture far from her person.
This is Plato. A great thinker.
(and an Anatolian Shepherd)
This was the friendliest Great Dane we have ever come across:
The angle is a bit off in this photo, but that dog was actually taller than Lorelei.
On the way home, I saw a small bundle of rufus feathers with ears, just off the road.
Damn. It looked like a screech owl.
I did a U-turn and parked on a skinny little shoulder. Trying to think three steps ahead
(I didn't have a box with me...so I had to think about getting one at the UDF down the road....grabbing my gloves....figuring out how to hold an injured screech owl and drive at the same time...), I approached it.
It swiveled its head around, and took off across the four-lane road.
Crapcrapcrapcrapcrap.....
Well, at least now I knew it could fly.
I got back in the car and swung around and parked again. It had landed behind a fence in some shrubbery. On private property.
Crapcrapcrapcrap.....
It kept retreating deeper and deeper into the woods, and I knew I wasn't going to be able to catch it. Trespassing while running after a flighted screech owl, with two kids in tow....I like gathering blogging material as much as the next person, but...
Crapcrapcrapcrapcrap....
Well, it can fly. Its eyes were uninjured. I assume it was stunned by a car and was gathering its wits when I came along.
All we can do is wish it the best and be hopeful.
When it retreated into the underbrush, a whole bunch of blue jays noticed it and started giving it what-for. It was funny, in a sad way.
Good luck, little buddy.
(The best shot I could get, as it scurried off.)
Maybe I will start carrying a net in my car?
12 comments:
You are miss "right place- right time"
I'm glad you were there to try to help.
Yes... carry a net and something official to identify you as a real bird person, in case the cops nab you for trespassing.
;-)
Again. Why don't I ever see owls???? You're an owl magnet
Yes, you need a net.
Gina has been loving a Great Dane. She's nuts. Mr. Biggins and Bam are enough but my God I'd love to hug a Dane.
I love your days.
Mary :o)
I carry a large cardboard pet carrier available at most pet stores. In it I have 2 large towels, a army type blanket, a pair of nitrile gloves and a pair of mechanics gloves. It has come in handy many times.
Susan, how frustrating! Glad you kept your kids safe. I hope the little guy is all right.
How on earth do you find these owls. I have never seen one in my life and you seem to draw them to you! I am sure the little guy is allright if he can fly.
Nice dog pictures.
". . a flighted screech owl. . " How did you know the owl needed help? Is it that it was on the ground? I've never seen a screech owl, and I agree with the above, that it is amazing that you can spot it from a moving car! Awesome eyes. (Susan With The Raptor Eyes).
Heather
Wayne, PA
Is it possible that the owl didn't need help, but had just flown down to the ground in pursuit of something? I know that is unusual during the day, but if it was able to fly...
Reminds me of stopping along the freeway once to rescue a scared lab. Didn't work and caused the dog to run across 4 lanes of traffic to flee his rescuer. Sigh. Glad you were their to try. Poor thing.
Ohhh, I hope it's going to be okay! What! You have no snow! Lucky you!
Lynne:
Yep, that's me. Susie on the Spot.
:)
Laura:
I SHOULD. Being suspected of terrorism and thinking about trespassing should teach me to carry something with me. An "I am a birder. Don't arrest me" card.
Mary:
You just gotta know where to look, I guess. I have an advantage, knowing the nesting sites of three or four GHOW. That helps.
A Great Dane added to Mr. Biggins and Bam Bam? Is she nuts?
: )
Dave:
In my old car, I had all my capturing gear. I better outfit the Subaru now, huh?
Kathie:
If my kids hadn't been with me, I would have been braver.
Kallen305:
Like I said to Mary...just have to know where to look. I think it also helps that I look at our education birds almost daily, and their profiles are burned into my brain.
Heather and John:
The fact that it was sitting, all fluffed up along side the road on a 45 degree, sunny day told me it had probably been hit or stunned. Its flight was a bit wobbly on first take off, too.
Liza:
I've chased stray dogs, too. I guess adding to the gear I need in my car, some dog treats, too?
Pam:
Nope, no snow. I hope it makes it, too. Even if it didn't need my help, a few days at RAPTOR with free meals and some protection wouldn't have hurt at all. Would have been like a little screech-vacation.
You're so smart. Hope the little guy made it.
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