Sunday, June 21, 2009

A slow Sunday means time to update..............

What a gray dreary day. It's been raining like crazy for the last week. I hear this is the wettest June in a LONG time. Feels like Seattle....
Well, today I've included release photo's of the Red tree squirrels. I took a lot of pic's but trying to take a picture of a living squirrel is, well, like trying to keep up with any other rodent on the move!
We also took in 2 more orphaned rock squirrels, but these little guys are so much smaller than the others, so they can't be together. We were not sure if they were going to make it. They are in bad shape, but just last night, they started eating much better and are becoming more active. They came in at about 57 grams in weight. The others were 68 grams when they came in and are now around 240 grams. I'm already dreading the day they are to be released. I've become very attached to them. I'll be very happy for them, being free at last, but it's sad when they're gone for good. This is one of the struggles a wildlife rehabilitator has to deal with every day. Still, I'm glad to have been a part of their lives. That experience is mine and will always be with me. I'm very lucky!

Ivy went to the vet's last week and had her pins removed only to have to have others put back in. She has now gone through five surgeries. The two broken ends of the ulna have not yet fused as they should. These new pins should be able to come out in about 8 weeks. This bird is just amazing. All she has been through and to keep fighting.
I'll be taking Zuma back in to the vet's in the next week or two. He has fluid building up in his wing below the break. This edema hasn't eased up like it should have, so we need Jay to look at it and determine what's causing it and if it is anything to be concerned over.
Diane released two of our orphaned robins as they were ready to be on their own. She did a great job with them, teaching them to eat worms, fruit and all kinds of robin favorites. I've also included a photo from our Meadowlark's release at Desert Lake in Emery county.

We got in a new golden eagle this last week. This one went through the windshield of a jeep on highway 10 near Hiawatha, still in Carbon county. Amazingly, this bird appears to have no broken bones. Also, she has one of my bands on her. She has been in rehab before, here with us around 3 years ago from the West Nile virus. The area where she was hit is close to where she was found the first time, back in 2006. This is one tough girl. She's about 4 years old now.
I am going to have her eye's looked at by a specialist in Salt Lake who donates her services to us. With an impact like that, she may have a detached retina or two. That appointment will be later on.
Everyone else is doing great as well.
Until next time,
Debbie......................

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Feathered brothers and sisters, you came to us broken and as you bled…….we saw you desperate, dehydrated, desiccated, diseased, distressed, emaciated, famished, frayed, frightened, helpless, hungry, ragged, ravenous, shaken, shocked, shot, sickly, stressed, stunned, tattered, thirsty, traumatized, torn, weary and wounded. Defiantly, you stood us off with your last breath as we tried to tend to you. We saw you come in as cute, naked, fuzzy, cuddly youth, as mischievous, defiant adolescents, as fierce, regal rulers of the sky and as cunning, maimed elders whose time on earth was almost done. You endeared yourselves to us, bit us, charmed us, footed us, delighted us, hissed at us, talked to us, mantled at us, and graced us with your presence.

Some of you mended and were able to go on your way, never looking back. Some of you were injured in ways that prevented you from going, so you stayed with us to teach us…….And we came to love you. Others were too far gone, and you went home - where you fly free from pain with the Great One. All of you have touched us, and we are changed because of you.

used with permission by Arlene Powers


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