Barn Owl - Release of a wild barn owl with The Owl Foundation May 2015

This past winter was very hard on owls.  This barn owl was found starving and quite thin.  Rescued by The Owl Foundation he was assessed and treated.  Finally he was ready to be released back in the wild.

Wellness Check.  Check the flight feathers and tail feathers by TOF

Wing check and photo for ID

 

Annick at TOF continues wellness check.

So excited to hold owl while being banded

Finally the big moment of release.  Annick and Jack stood and Annick opened her hands. The barn owl flew then gave us a wonderful circle over our heads.  Then was gone.  Time dusk.  

A little wink

And away he goes

Last sighting of the owl. 

Shared this great day with Annick and Jack of the  Owl Foundation and Chris M volunteer.

To end this great day Chris and I were asked to release a Eastern Screech Owl.
No photos as it was after 10pm.

This is one of the best release of all.
Good luck Barn Owl.
 

Carden Alvar birding. May 2015

Always a thrill to see are Upland Sandpipers.  We saw 3 on the post and 4 flying in sky.
Thanks to MC and Glenda for letting me joing them.  Great day great fun.

Love this shot of one in the grass

One of 4 in flight

Prairie Smoke

Loggerhead Shirke.  I know you cant see it but thanks to the scope we saw it clearly.

Swamp Sparrow

Meadowlark

Marsh Wren

Sedge Wren

A hawk being chased.  Amazing to watch.  

Can you spot him and ID him.  I will post later with the name.

Carden Alvar birds May 2015

A thrill of an American Bittern fly by.
A wonderful day with MC and Glenda at Carden.
We met some amazing people up there who willingly shared their scope with us so we could see the distant birds.

First sighting of bittern.  It was a long long ways away.

Barn Swallow

Bobolink

Brown Thrashers all over the place

Common Yellowthroat

Meadowlarks
One day I will see one up close

Eastern Phoebe with food for her babies.

Blue birds Female

A family of geese in pond

Grasshopper Sparrow.  What a thrill to see one up close.

Add caption

Not a great shot but the Kingbird is showing his red on the crest of his head.

Two kingbirds in battle.  A third joined in.

Redwinged Blackbird

Savannah Sparrow

Tree Swallow

Yellow warbler.
Just a sampling of some of the birds that we saw.
Hopefully MC will send a full list of all the birds.  

Snowy Egret. Oh I love this heron in Florida

He knows he is beautiful 

Splash 

Can you do this.
They drag their legs in the water and push the fish forward and then down goes head to eat it.  

Elegent

Reflections

Love this love this