ADORABLE BABY SQUIRREL

Need I say more? 

Me feeding a little orphaned Gray, with those little kneading paws.

 Just please sit down before you press play. 

You've been warned!

Great Horned Owl

Every year, the Wildlife Rehab Center, now called The Wildlife Center of Texas, has an Open House so folks who volunteer can enjoy themselves for all they give to the Center. 

It's also for others in the community who make the donations that keep this wonderful rescue center alive. It's the one day they can get a rare tour of the facilities and see just what kind of work is done behind closed doors. No one who drop animals off (over 9,000 animals in 2011) and who is not a volunteer or from the nearby SPCA (of Animal Planets Cops Houston fame), is allowed in where the animals are, because it's a serious "hospital".  

The atmosphere is one of healing and relative calm, so traumatized and orphaned animals can do the important work of recovering so they can hopefully be released back in the wild in ship shape.

A few of these animals would never survive if released, due to broken wings that make them unable to fly, etc... These animals often become ambassadors for their species in the many educational programs the Center does within the community. And they come out for some of the visitors to see from a safe distance on this special Open House night. 

I came into contact with my first Great Horned owl on Open House night about 5 years ago. I was stunned and still am every time I'm privileged enough to be this close to one, and remain fascinated by their giant blinking eyes. See for yourself:

If you're an animal lover, and I know you are if you're reading this, please LIKE the Wildlife Center of Texas' Facebook page HERE. You will see wonderful photos and stories of the tremendous rescue and releases they do there every day, 24/7, 365 days of the year!

Cheetahs and a Baby Impala

Someone sent this to me in an e-mail and I thought you'd like to see it too:

The law of the wild says kill only when you are hungry. Photographer Michel Denis-Huot, who captured these amazing pictures on safari in Kenya's Masai Mara in October last year, said he was astounded by what he saw:  "These three cheetah brothers have been living together since they left their mother at about 18 months old," he said. "On the morning we saw them, they seemed not to be hungry, walking quickly but stopping sometimes to play together. At one point, they met a group of impala who ran away. But one impala youngster was not quick enough and the brothers caught it easily." These extraordinary scenes followed:

I asked a Carnivore Supervisor from my local Zoo what could be going on here. He said the cheetahs are likely just too young to be doing much.... and who knows, it I'm sure is also because they're probably not hungry :-)

Heeeere Elvissss

Yep Elvis.

He's still around.

My Elvis at least. Living in the reflection pond at The Park.

I read somewhere that muscovy ducks live about 3-4 years, but it's been over 4 years since I first admired Elvis' fabulous jet black pompadour and the perfect, red, stitch- like adornment around it... and we became friends.

Over that time I've seen him hang with a changing group of guy ducks, sometimes one, sometimes three others. Once in awhile, he comes over to me and we have some time alone. I like that time.

I'll talk to him as he paddles steadily toward me, and hold out a piece of bread.

It's never anything less than amazing to commune with an animal. I always feel in my element.

Baby Black Squirrel

One special thing about the month February: it's just about time for squirrels to have their babies. They have them twice a year --  starting in February and again in early fall.

A few years ago I got to help two little black squirrel babies at the Wildlife Rehab Center and somehow fed this one with one hand while stealing a few seconds of footage with my other. It's such a rare sight (and of course, such a joy) that I wanted to capture it to have forever.

I came across the little video this morning and since I haven't published it before, I thought it would be fitting to celebrate the baby squirrels being born everywhere.