Adventures in Nature

Zen Squirrel

2012-01-19T06:00:00.000-06:00

Buddha - I want to have your peace...
your wisdom, your serenity,
your divine nature... your acorn hat!
Love, Squirrel.

(someone posted this on my FB wall - I LURVE it)

Boston Squirrel

2012-01-13T14:03:00.000-06:00

I met this little guy in the Boston Commons. He ran up to me and climbed into my purse when I set it down to fetch him nuts. I would have taken him home except I don't have any trees in my apartment.

EEK or Sweet? Tarantulas....

2012-01-11T14:01:00.000-06:00

This is one of the Educational Animals at the Houston Zoo.. a well-behaved tarantula named Rose. I am not a fan of spiders but in this picture you can appreciate every little hair on this incredible being.

RODENT LOVE

2012-01-02T13:59:00.000-06:00

My intern introduced this little wonder to me as his Study Buddy... Major Squee. I asked what it was. Can you guess?

1-7-12 - JUST PUT THE ANSWER IN THE COMMENTS AREA....

Frog Love

2012-01-01T06:30:00.000-06:00

Yep, it's real. A teeny tiny frog to star off your New Year....

Anyone for a Hot Dog?

2011-12-30T13:57:00.002-06:00

Animal Holiday Cheer - Times Ten!

2011-12-16T07:58:00.002-06:00

Well, if you want to grin, and have that grow bigger and BIGGER into a huge SMILE, showing ALL your teeth, then turn into a chuckle to boot, press PLAY. This is sure to cheer you up. The fish, parrot, turtles, the ferret, the shark and a few of the dogs and cats -- their voices, the little pranks that creep into this will make anyone who is the least bit stressed or blue cheer up INSTANTLY!!!

PRESS PLAY - AND SHARE THIS LINK ON YOUR WALL to pass all that goodness along.

***There is a second of a squirrel***

Cutes Otter Mom Picture in History

2011-12-14T14:05:00.000-06:00

And that is no understatement, This has gone around on Facebook and the Internet but we all want to see it again, don't we? I mean, how can you not just melt into a PUDDLE looking at this, no matter how many times it's been? Wish I knew who to give photo credit to... for now, guess we will just have to credit the Universe...

Dogs with their Heads Out the Window... in Slow Mo

2011-12-13T12:56:00.001-06:00

Ah dogs. We love 'em. And this is a great little ode to their penchant for loving being in the car with you and getting to stick their head out - to smell all there is to smell and to feel the wind in their face and the speed without running (have they figured out how that is possible, do you think?)

Press Play, sit back, and smile.

Dogs in Cars from keith on Vimeo.

Another Set of Same-Sex Penguins

2011-12-07T10:02:00.000-06:00

At least THEY get a chick to parent. Males do all the parenting in the penguin world anyway, after the female lays the egg, so they should do an excellent job. The two are at Harbor Polar Land in China, and are being given a twin chick from an inexperienced mom to raise! Hooray! Poor Buddy and Pedro, the two African Penguins at the Toronto Zoo that I first wrote about HERE, and Roy and Silo, the two in New York's Central Park Zoo, who were inseparable ... until human beings broke them up in hopes they'd breed.

I understand and am all for Zoo's SSP programs. Because man is destroying natural habitats, and our weather is changing, tectonic plates are shifting etc... species survival grows more and more dependent on Zoos breeding programs. African Penguins are critically endangered so they need to mate and multiply - and very specific and careful guidelines are followed in terms of what animals breed with whom and when because of bloodlines.... but penguins are a little tough to breed because they are choosy about who they mate with. We shall see what happens. Will Buddy and Pedro do the do with another? Stay tuned.

The Toronto Zoo i saying they will let the two reunite after breeding season is over. If the other two couples don't end up breeding with females and there is an orphaned chick available, I think this is a better solution....
Read more and see pictures in this article in the Huffington Post.

Sweet and Sour

2011-11-25T07:00:00.000-06:00

And now, a squirrel eating a lemon, with out flinching.... except that he attacks the camera a the end. And by attack I mean he comes up to check the gate.

From the charmingly names Stupidvideos42

Gobble Gobble... or Not

2011-11-24T08:00:00.000-06:00

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday everyone!

Five Reasons to be Thankful for Being a Primate

2011-11-23T20:55:00.001-06:00

http://www.npr.org/blogs/13.7/2011/11/23/142596473/top-5-reasons-to-give-thanks-for-being-primate

"Gay" Penguin Couple Being Broken Up

2011-11-08T07:18:00.000-06:00

Buddy and Pedro, two male African penguins, who are at the Toronto Zoo from Toledo to breed as part of the survival plan for endangered species, have been inseparable. They have even displayed mating behavior, and, after each day of playing with the group, pair off to snuggle down together every single night. Yet they are going to be separated and paired with lady penguins to get on with helping propagate the species. I wonder if they will succeed.

So it happens in the animal world too - we pull the pair apart and force them to do something else that's natural to them. *sigh*

See the video, they are awfully cute together.

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/314064

The Best Job in The World?

2011-10-28T19:42:00.000-05:00

You may have seen this on YouTube but if you haven't...

Hiccups

2011-10-25T17:00:00.000-05:00

I have come to be known now as the squirrel lady. Someone got me a lunch bag with a red squirrel and acorns on it... and yes, I am using it today, and packed it with a smile on my face.

I got squirrel calendars for Christamas from my sister.

And people send me squirrel pictures and videos all the time.

Bring it.

I embrace it.

Let's face it: it's true.

Here's a YouTube vid by vivmus96 that I discovered today

after watching a different vid someone sent to me. Had to share.

Squirrels tend to jump and twitch a lot. But this one appears to have actual hiccups, as evidenced by the little squeak that comes out of him with each little convuslion. Enjoy.

WANT!

2011-09-19T17:44:00.001-05:00

My blog friend Margo sent me this. She found it somewhere.

I have no idea what kind of puppy it is, and neither did she... but apparently it IS a dog.

If that hand wasn't in the picture, you'd never believe how small it is.

One thing there's no question about: How cute it is.

I knew you'd want to see it.

Snake Notes

2011-09-10T08:21:00.002-05:00

I am not afraid of mice. You won't find me up on a chair screaming if I see one. But I'm not a big fan of spiders or snakes. While I cover that reaction to them in an effort to be "cool", inside you could peel me off the ceiling.

When you work at the Zoo however, it's impossible to not come to see every thing crawly, cold and downright ugly in a new light. And even if you might not come to love them all, you certainly can't get away without a new appreciation of them, because there's a person for every species.... a person that LOVES them as much as you love your cat or dog or horse. Those species are very lucky to have their people.

When I talk to them about the animal they're crazy about, it becomes very easy to see why they are in love. I mean, who knew I'd come to love ducks... and squirrels? I was a dedicated cat person when I was a kid. But because I can't have any pets due to extreme allergies, and yet am a die-hard animal lover, it forced me to seek out any animal I could be with. By the mere fact that I could sit at The Park and observe the ducks at a distance day after day, I got to know them by coloring, watched who hung with whom and where in the park they could be found, learned all about their eating, grooming and sleeping habits, and saw that they really had distinct personalities. It didn't hurt that they would come right up to me, and that many would eat from my hand. Of course personal interaction seals the deal. They are no longer separate from me, or objects, or potential meals of dim intelligence.

The woman at the Zoo who is in love with our komodo dragon made him one of m favorite guys. I see something different now when I look at his lizard face. I can even sense a subtle sense of humor. But I'm still not a huge reptile fan. The one species I didn't want to train to handle were snakes. And now I have about 20 acres in VA where I will someday be encountering them. The peeps in the Herpetology Department wrote to me about snakes, because knowledge goes a long way to dispel fear and empower. It was too good not to pass along to you.

First, the first rule when a snake is encountered is to leave it alone. Snakes do not attack people; they will only strike and try to bite when they are feeling threatened (and many won’t even bite at that time). Bites occur when people try to kill snakes or move them.

Second, snakes have several basic needs; namely, food, water, and shelter. If someone is finding snakes around their house, chances are that conditions are favorable for snakes to live there. Keep yards clean and free of debris or anything that could offer shelter to a snake or could harbor rodents. Keep yards mowed, trees and bushes trimmed, etc. If you do this and still see a snake, then the snake is just moving through. With the ongoing drought and the continued development in suburban areas, their natural habitat is being destroyed and wild animals are seeking new habitat.

Of the 34 or so varieties of snakes in the Houston area, only 6 are venomous. Of those 6, three are rattlesnakes and are never encountered in theHouston area anymore; occasionally, a Western diamondback rattlesnake is seen in west Galveston Island or on the Bolivar peninsula, but even these sightings are becoming less frequent. The only three venomous snakes that really occur in the Houston area are the Water moccasin (Cottonmouth), Copperhead, and Coral snake. My recommendation is to buy a field guide (Texas Snakes: A field guide by Dixon and Werler is an excellent book) and learn to tell these three species from the others. It’s not hard.

As for first aid treatment for a venomous snake bite, go to a hospital immediately. There is no recommended treatment, despite all that you hear on the media. If you can, take a picture of the snake so there can be a positive identification. Non venomous bites require no further treatment than soap and water.

As a side note, both Judith and I have received numerous calls over the years from hospital staff with snake bite victims (the last one was Saturday, August 13^th, in the morning). Almost all of the calls have occurred around 3:00am on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Not coincidentally, local bars close at 2:00am.

Man's Best Friend

2011-08-27T10:34:00.001-05:00

And partner in crime?

Doggies - they're always by your side...

Dogs Are the Best

2011-08-20T07:00:00.000-05:00

I believe each animal has a lot more going on than we give them credit for - though I'm not sure what the opossum has going on in it's head... When it comes to dogs, as any dog owner or dog lover knows, there's no other creature like them.

When they say to be sure to exercise your dog, I'm not sure they had this in mind.

Today's Puppy Squee

2011-08-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

Rodent Kisses

2011-08-15T08:00:00.000-05:00

So utterly fuzzy and cute -- but does anyone know what kind of animal this is? I don't. Not squirrels or chipmunks, too small to be prairie dogs... Anybody?

Maybe they are a kind of ground squirrel. The fur looks white-ish gray.

There Are Dog Lovers and Lover Dogs

2011-08-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

No truer words ever said.

Beluga Whale Digs The Mariachi!

2011-08-04T09:27:00.005-05:00

I saw this on YouTube and though one could agree with a commenter there who said "sorry for keeping you in captivity.. here's a mariachi band" I still was almost weepy watching the interaction of this beautiful creature with the band. I don't know if he could hear it through the glass, though maybe he could groove off teh vibration, but he clearly is bobbing his head to the beat...

My other theory is that the Beluga just wants the big hat. Watch and decide for yourself.

This whale's name is Juno and apparently was hanging out of his 750,000-gallon tank when wedding festivities began with this mariachi band... There is plenty of room in the tank to hide from people or choose to inteact with them...

You can read more in this Discovery News article.

Bow Wow

2011-08-01T08:00:00.000-05:00

Dogs, gotta love 'em. They will do anything that you do -- as long as they can be WITH you.

Buy A Spirit Hood, Help An Animal

2011-08-01T07:00:00.001-05:00

Now this is really something different! One of the ladies in my writers group came in wearing this. Not only did she look adorable in it, we had a lot of fun (and did little writing) passing it around, posing for pictures, and finding our inner animal.

Called Spirit Hoods, these are unique hat/scarf/glove-pockets-in-one. You can buy for women, kids, or men (I give the model props for posing looking hunky with them on).
The kids offer lines for boys and girls, are absolutely adorable and will be a BIG GIANT HIT, I promise you.
You can choose from bears, lions, leopards, pandas and wolves. They have kicky ear linings, and paw prints on the underside of the pocket/gloves.

The impressive thing is that they are high quality and something you won't find anywhere else. And Spirit Hoods have created a label called PRO BLUE. If you purchase something from that line, 10% of net profits goes to a non-profit organization helping that animal. You can read about it and the four organizations that they would donate those proceeds to by clicking HERE. .

Seeing Dalmation Spots

2011-07-30T10:23:00.001-05:00

I have no words... Even the SOCKS match!

When Can a Bird Look Like Darth Vader?

2011-07-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

Yo Roo! Kangaroo That Is...

2011-07-27T08:00:00.000-05:00

Love it. Could not be more perfect... have no idea how the kangaroo even managed this (or why).

S-M-I-L-E

2011-07-23T09:57:00.000-05:00

Fast Asleep

2011-07-19T16:36:00.001-05:00

OK, I am completely slain by baby squirrels.

I know some people think they are tree rats and nuisances, building nests occasionally in someone's attic or eating all the food in the feeders folks put out to attract birds. But how can your heart not just swell to bursting with love when you hold sweet little sleeping babies in your hand like this? And he is sleeping because I just fed him warm milk... don't we adore our human babies in the exact same kind of moment?

I love how they sleep, with their skinny baby tails curled up over their face like we might pull up our quilts on a chilly night. And you can see him contentedly moving his mouth, as if he's savoring little dreams of his recent meal. He's so young his ears are still bent down to his little head. His fuzzy forearms! Those too-big hands and feet! His tiny shoulder blades as he hunts for his sisters to sleep! His wobbly attempts to navigate the blanket .... (I know, somebody stop me!). Even if you're not a squirrel lover, you've gotta admit, these babies are cute.

Here's an even smaller one -- just crossing over from being what we call a pinky (no hair at all, just born). You can see me put the milk nipple into the frame for a second to get an idea of how small, if not by seeing him compared to my thumb. I have a focus problem near the end, but his little black nose and whiskers become clear so hang in there.

A face like that just makes me smile, every time!

Are you with me yet?

A Lab Makes Best Friends with a Dolphin - MUST SEE

2011-07-15T19:52:00.001-05:00

Save The Whales...Literally

2011-07-10T10:24:00.012-05:00

I don't know if you have seen this video but you must. It will give you hope that yes, in the David and Goliath-like sense of the world these days, we oft (seemingly) puny and impotent human beings can actually DO something to make a difference. Yes, yes we can.

I have a friend from college who is pals with the guy who did this... I get lazy about clicking play but I did it with this and really, you must too. It will bring tears to your eyes and cause your heart to feel like it is literally swelling with love and wonder.

The folks you will see, who happen to have co-founded the Great Whale Conservancy, find a young female humpback whale while in the Sea of Cortez. She appeared to be dead. Her dorsal and 2 pectoral fins had been trapped by impossibly tangled fishing nets. The nets weighed her down as far as 15 feet deep and she was fading fast. Who knows how long these had been on her, keeping her from feeding, and tiring her (she probably initially struggled, in vain, to get free)!

These few people, in a small rowboat, have the courage swim out to the whale and check out the situation, then balance in this boat for about an hour, tirelessly cutting with a small knife (all they had on board apparently) until they freed the whale.

They then watched for a solid hour as the whale jumped and slapped around in the water with what can only be described as pure joy. And, it happened on Valentines Day.

Please pass this around and please please visit their Great Whale Conservancy website at www.eii.org/gwc/ and LIKE their Facebook page, to join them in helping to save these magnificent beings. More info below the video.

The Great Whale Conservancy (GWC) is a joint program of two premier projects of the Earth Island Institute: the International Marine Mammal Project and the Campaign to Safeguard America’s Waters. To help, please contact Michael Fishbach at IMMP (828) 675-9387, fishdeya@gmail.com, or Gershon Cohen Ph.D. at CSAW (907) 766-3005,gershon@aptalaska.net.

Dog, Cat, Rat - Light Up Your Day

2011-07-09T10:00:00.002-05:00

World Peace y'all. This is a must see for animal lovers. Light and delightful.

Remember Elvis?

2011-07-03T09:42:00.001-05:00

The Muscovy duck I named Elvis, I mean.

He says hi.

The Only Big Cat That Likes Water

2011-06-14T13:33:00.002-05:00

Thursday Husband and I walked through the zoo, which is just past the park we usually walk around. We have a membership and decided it's an easy way to stretch our exercise time to just sail through the gates and circle around whatever interests us. It's a big motivator when the scenery offers elephants, flamingos, bears, seals, raptors and lions.

It had been sprinkling and overcast, so the place was blissfully quiet and cool, unpopulated save for a few families, and thus free of the attendant chaos. The live oak trees --common to this area --with their incredibly long, low reaching limbs with fresh, shiny new leaves of spring fully unfurled on every branch created a protective canopy over our heads. We kept up our pace past twin cheetah kittens and the giraffes. But we were stopped dead in our tracks by the sight of one of the two brother tigers swimming his little lake.

Seems no matter what time of day we visit, usually the big cats are all sleeping. But there was the gorgeous, regal head of this creature, with it's bright orange fur slashed by jet black stripes, gliding smoothly though the darkened water.

His eyes were bright and blue. His thick paws were visible, paddling rhythmically, pushing him along on a diagonal and very deliberate path from one end to the other. He then climbed out, slinked across the grass past rocks and around trees to return to his starting point. Again he'd climb right in, and all but his paws would disappear as his body sank into the depths. His shoulder muscles were further defined with every stroke. Amid all this majesty, something cute: his tongue stuck out as he did it.

(click picture to enlarge)

We positioned ourselves (where I took the pic above) right in his sight lines. Here he swam VERY close to us. On one pass he made direct, proplonged eye contact. It was nothing short of chilling! This ain't no kitty, but a beautiful beast with quite humbling power -- a killing machine -- and there was only a short flimsy fence and an electrical deterrent between us.

Black Cats Advantage.

2011-05-22T20:56:00.000-05:00

Must See Robin's Nest!!

2011-05-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

This link is very worth clicking. You'll find 4 little blue robin's eggs in a very sturdy and beautiful nest made in someone's hanging plant basket on their porch.

Over the course of 4 weeks the eggs progress was dilligently filmed and this short video was put together showing the entire lifespan from egg to winging away. It's wonderful. Go ahead, make your day and click it.

Cat "Up" a Tree

2011-05-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

Oh that's fabulous. Instinct trumps logic.

You Must Have Mistaken Me For Someone Who Cares

2011-05-19T06:00:00.001-05:00

Cats "don't do" a LOT of things. What doesn't yours do?

It's True

2011-05-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

They are devils wrapped in the softest fur.... it's all their secret evil plan to suck you in, for their own entertainment.

A Cat When It Means Business

2011-05-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

Have you seen this face on your cat? And that innocent, I-don't-get-it look on your dog's?

It's Kitten Week....

2011-05-16T06:00:00.001-05:00

Happy Monday! Hope your week is starting out better....

Hisssss x4

2011-05-15T10:37:00.001-05:00

Tell me what you think they saw to set this off in the comments below. I can only imagine how creative...

Baby Seal Gets Ride From Sea Turtle

2011-05-12T11:08:00.002-05:00

Waawwww. This is a great display of how sweet and innocent baby animals are and how anyone can be a friend or playmate -- at least early on in life!

The turtle may be a little freaked out at the fuzzy guy getting a ride when he didn't offer but he does fine in the end. Bet you will want to send this blog link to someone you know who'd love to see this once you're done... please do.

Death by Cuteness

2011-04-17T18:47:00.002-05:00

We've seen it, but let's see it again.

And maybe you might need to send this blog link to everyone you know who needs to feel good today. Why not?

Eagle Babies Cam

2011-04-17T11:11:00.002-05:00

It's Spring again, and that means babies.... certainly baby birds. There's not much as special as being able to watch them in their nests, which is made possible by technology.

I am watching two adorable fuzzy bald eagles and a very good mom who tucks them under her when the wind blows... And the babies make sweet little chirps back to her.

MUST LOOK. So easy to keep open on one corner of your desktop while you TRY to concentrate on other things...

http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles

The Cat and the Dolphin

2011-04-11T16:39:00.002-05:00

Oh for joy. Joy is what you will feel three seconds into watching this video. I am completely envious of this cat. At first I thought -- oh, look at that. They are communing, because they both know they are animals (and somehow of kinship). I thought the cat was on a boat and here comes this random encounter with a friendly dolphin. Then I saw a human with a training whistle, and thought, oh, these are trained dolphins. None the less, it is still beyond delightful to watch. And then I thought - that cat likes them because they smell like FISH. Enjoy.

And you?

2011-03-10T06:00:00.003-06:00

A bird does not sing because it has an answer.

It sings because it has a song

---- Chinese Proverb

Exactly

2011-03-06T13:17:00.002-06:00

Some keep the Sabbath going to Church

I keep it, staying at Home

With a Bobolink for a Chorister

And an Orchard, for a Dome

--Emily Dickinson

Wanton Musings

2011-03-05T06:09:00.008-06:00

Spring approaches here in Houston, even though it is still deep winter in many other places around the country. Alas, I have no garden to plant, so I am not pouring over seed catalogues or plotting out what will go next to what on graph paper or trying to make things sprout between moist paper towels under grow lights indoors in preparation. Someday though.

I do listen to gardening podcasts, buy way too many books about homesteading and devour magazines like Mother Earth, to make up for what I'd be learning if I were gardening all this time. If how stunningly I've failed in my efforts to keep the most basic container plants on my porch (I've even watched those bamboo shoots that require only a little water, no sun, no soil expire under my care) is any prediction of my abilities as a real gardener, then I would be among the pilgrims to die in the first winter in New England. I figure I will give myself 5 years once I get my hands in some soil to discover if I have what it takes or if I'm doomed to go to my grave a hopeless black thumb. So I need all the pre-study and experience that I can get.

It's not just gardening I'm interested in learning, but canning and preserving, bread baking, and other lost arts. There is a resurgence of interest in these things so I am hardly unique. But I claim to be apart from the hoards of former Yuppie urbanites who have cashed in their stilettos and nightclubs in search of a retro existence. They are mostly motivated by their babies, which certainly rips the needle off the record of the world that had been their formerly delicious, city life.

While my world may have consisted more of sparkly earrings, champagne and tall buildings, I have long been fascinated by people like the late Tasha Tudor, who had enough success to live as she wanted. She created her own world on her sprawling estate living with little or no electricity, cooking over a wood stove, sleeping in a cap, walking barefoot -- self sufficient well into her 90's.

And I am of the generation who read Little House on the Prairie and felt something shift when I read about their preparations for the winter: smoking, drying, cold storage, metering supplies to make it until the Spring came again. Those few long trips to the store in a town far away. Coming back with precious flour, sugar, coffee, a measure of fabric, and a few pieces of peppermint candy, among other treasures. Building fires that would burn all night, saving embers to start the stove in the morning. I still pull it out late in the Fall, between Thanksgiving and Christmas and read those parts and get completely lost in the pages.

Some people stick things in the ground, tend to it and harvest for the table, without much else to tell. I know several of these aliens. Their gardens burst forth with color and abundance. Everything they try - cumquats, persimmons, even cantaloup and corn by the walk - thrives. But I hear far more stories of the difficulties -- chronic destruction of tender shoots or worse -- of prized meager successes that are decimated just before harvest -- by one or another critter, bug or disease. Those with the best of intention to deal with these organically or by companion planting at the start end up in spraying the shit out of the everything with the strongest chemicals sold this side of the war or find themselves sitting in trees with night vision goggles and a rifle to finally kill the damn thing that ate all the corn/tomatoes/beans the night before picking.

Which, I wonder, will I be?

2011-02-20T10:11:00.001-06:00

"UNTIL ONE HAS LOVED AN ANIMAL

PART OF THEIR SOUL REMAINS UNAWAKENED"

Making the Rounds Before Ice

2011-02-04T08:57:00.008-06:00

We're hunkering down, waiting for our ice storm with 1-3 inches of snow. Sounds too good to be true to me. The Houston Zoo closed at 3 today and I just got the word that I have the day off tomorrow, so I've been posting announcements on FB and Twitter to let the public know we're closed. Not that anyone has been there the last two days because it's been about 32 degrees. Other places around town are shutting down and sending people home as well.

It's kind of funny that everyone's bracing for an inch of snow but if there is black ice, no one can drive in it... Even if you were used to maneuvering in snow, which Houstonians are not, ice sneaks up on any and everyone.

For the present, I have been reveling in the cold. If you dress warmly --a thin long sleeved tee with a cashmere sweater over, a down jacket, one of those hats with ear flaps, good socks and gloves, it's fine. I have been driving right from work to Hermann Park to take walks instead of being on a treadmill at the gym.

I've done this the last four days in a row, multi-tasking exercise with feeding squirrels and ducks while it's light, and at night I've swung by all the places I feed squirrels in the residential areas that have dog parks and wide green esplanades where squirrels live. I drive through those areas regularly and toss small, unshelled nuts, that are bio degradable and that the birds may end up enjoying as much as anyone.

Squirrel baby season has just begun and there are a lot of mothers about to deliver and maybe a few who have delivered early, so I want to be sure they don't have to go far looking for food when it's this cold. This is a picture of a clearly pregnant Fox Squirrel. Houston's squirrels grow a bit of a coat, but it was 70 on Monday and it will be back into the mid 50's by Saturday -- they are not used to 17 and 28 degrees.

As a testament to that, I saw none out at all on Tuesday, fed only one by hand on Wednesday, and there were about 5 across the entire park and golf course last night. Normally there are tons, coming from every direction. I figure they must be curled up in their nests with their tails wrapped around them, trying to keep toasty warm.

Anticipating the big storm, both yesterday and tonight I brought cracked corn and 4 loaves of wheat bread to feed the ducks and geese too, in addition to my bags and bags of nuts for the squirrels , because there is no one in the park when it's this cold (or when it's rainy). They can fend for themselves but have come to rely on people who go and feed them breadcrumbs. When I got there the ducks came swimming at top speed to the shore, hopped out enmass, then ran (waddling) up... all shapes and sizes. Amid them, reassuringly, were lots of regulars: the wood duck couple, many muscovys (Elivs is still there), the lone black duck, a few Indian Runner ducks, lots of mallards and various pairs of white pekin buddies (the Afflack ducks), masses of black bellied whistlers, and the old tan and white crew with the poofs on their heads. There was a huge group of black water fowl of some kind resting on the island in the lake but they were uninterested. Either truly wild or fish eaters.

That one egret I've written about stalked around in the shallows but was just observing the action. He's a fish man all the way. I also saw one or two Blue Herons. Also not interested.

The 4 Chinese geese were trying to get everyone else to back off, which they usually succeed at because they are the biggest, but tonight the crowd wasn't having any. When I'd feed Mr. and Mrs. Goose, the bigger of the other goose pair was pulling on my pant let with his beak. He knows I feed Mr. and Mrs. more because they are more tempermental. Mr. Goose insists his Mrs. gets fed while he shoos others away and he's so sensitive that he often will leave... and she always follows. Too funny. I still toss to the other two geese when Mr. Goose is not looking so they really aren't ignored but it's an awful lot like being a drummer. Each of my limbs seems to be engaged independently to juggle these feeding frenzies.

One bright-eyed little squirrel came down, drawn by the commotion (which usually means someone has food) and tried to take a nut from me when he was the smallest among all those fluffy bird breasts and webbed feet. He darted up and out around those beaks that were trying to take the nut I had in my hand. I finally walked to the nearest tree and got him to climb up it so I could give him the nut while he was hanging onto the trunk, far out of others reach. Success. Seriously, they are that tame!

I left a handful of nuts at the base of his tree while I distracted the birds by throwing bread in the opposite direction. When I left I saw he was sitting on that nut pile, munching comically. There is no sight that does my heart more good than that. I don't know why if I've fed an animal I get the best feeling... like I've done my work, or maybe earned my keep, on earth for another day. I feel that way when I take everything to recycling too. For all the work of pulling off labels, rinsing containers, tripping over sorting bins in the small apartment -- not to mention pulling items out of the waste basket that everyone else still tosses way -- and hauling sticky bags and heavy bundles of magazines and paper, I still feel it's the least I can do to clean up after the enormous amount of trash we generate each week. Anyway....

Can't feed everyone, but I went far further than I usually do, scanning the trees for nests, which are easy to spot now that the branches are bare, and tossing handfuls of nuts at the base of each trunk. I drove to the other side, near the train station and stopped in the Rose Garden's parking lot where I saw a squirrel nosing around the ground. I got out of my car slowly, and approached, and she perked up and ran to me once she saw I was offering a peanut. She ate with such vigor that I felt all warm and wonderful. She was hungry... and I was so glad I could help.

It'd been 90 minutes now. It was getting pretty dark by the time I covered the whole park. My fingers were seriously frozen, even with gloves, and I was clapping and moving my digits rapidly as I walked to finish. I just wanted everyone to have a full belly or something waiting at the bottom of the trees before the storm hits.

As I left, I tossed the last of peanuts in shells at each of the massive Oaks lining the golf course, scraping my tires on the lip of the road as I tried to get as close as possible. I keep the passenger seat open and have become quite good a flinging and driving, but I make sure no one is behind me if I do. I do it with the peanuts in shells, because they are are easier for the squirrels to spot, (even though scent plays a very big role in foraging).

I came home, took a very hot shower. I wondered if tonight the ducks would take more cover rather than just tucking their heads under their wing as they sit on the shore's edge. I made a mental note to research that if I can find anything.

As I pulled my fluffy quilt up around my chin, I thought of each little squirrel curled up in their nests with their tails for cover, riding out the night's storm, and I drifted off peacefully.

Thank you to C.A. Mullhaupt for the use of the pregnant Fox squirrel picture from Flickr!

Wow

2011-01-31T08:59:00.002-06:00

This is pretty stunning to actually see -- these massive animals who resemble us so much, but not really, we think... until we see them like this:

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2011/01/28/exp.am.vo.gorilla.upright.cnn?hpt=C2

I got the chills. How about you?

Love Baby Animals?

2011-01-09T09:35:00.002-06:00

Apparently so does this little fella!

Happy New Year everyone!

You'll Love This

2010-12-19T15:59:00.000-06:00

Heartwarming video

2010-12-05T10:58:00.004-06:00

I wish I could embed this for you but it's from the National Geographic site. It's the story of some folks who are animal keepers of some kind in some far off land, because they have an elephant and an orangutan around... a hungry dog wanders in and becomes best friends with the orang, who shares her food with the dog and hugs him and holds onto him. This is one to share with kids or to watch if you need a heartwarming lift. I'd put this in the category of MUST SEE so please click!

http://5thworld.com/Paradigm/Postings/!Wisdom/OrangutanAndHound.html

PS: I want these people's lives!

Thanksgiving, Like Winter, Awaits

2010-11-21T10:36:00.007-06:00

Have to share a beautiful post with you from the blog of a very talented man who lives in a little house on the river somewhere in Ohio. He goes by a grand monkier: the Grizzled-But-Still-Incorrigible-Scribe-Himself!

Every time I go to his blog, I get a sense of tranquility and peace. Somehow I can be restored and become centered in just that few minutes of reading, as if I've taken a walk in the forest or by the water's edge, in the snow or summer sun or brilliant falling leaves. How does he do that?

I highly recommend you scroll through and read his utterly lovely blog, and bookmark it to return all you want. He writes consistently, pieces of quality, thoughtful and thought provoking at times, entertaining and wry at others.

http://riverdaze.blogspot.com

Here is today's post, entitled: A Thankful Heart. I, for one, am printing it out to read over this Thanskgiving's meal. Emerson, Thoreau and Jefferson (Thomas, that is) -- you have company.

On the porch beneath a clabbered sky

I watch the day turn gold and slip away,

while gray squirrels rustle through leaves

browning beneath the big hackberry, and

chilled air carries a hint of woodsmoke.

Somewhere well upstream, geese are

honking on the wing, sharp yelps

marking their homeward passage

through twilight's steady gathering.

Another unveiled autumn plays out

as we rest in mild circadian confusion,

aware—though circumspect

in our affected silence—that November

will run its course and winter waits ahead.

Doesn't winter always wait ahead?

Isn't the still season of ice and cold and

keening wind always where years take us?

Is that why we make the time during

autumn's summation to gather 'round

a familiar table, bow our heads, and

declare our thanks before having our feast?

Do we celebrate in gratitude or prudence,

mindful that our lot is good, yet uneasy

we might have claimed too much credit

for the cornucopia we're about to enjoy?

The river is the color of old pewter in

the waning light, divided into many

small channels—a shredded ribbon,

whispering as it finds it way between stones.

Such beauty. And there, in the quiet eventide,

with a full moon rising to light the night,

I recount my blessings before the holy stars—

and pray I might always keep a thankful heart.

The Big King

2010-11-15T20:06:00.004-06:00

As I have mentioned before, Jonathan, the majestic and regal African Lion at the Zoo is my self-proclaimed boyfriend.... that is, when I am not crushing on Kiva, the 18-ft tall Masai giraffe. But this is all about Jonathan.

Jonathan.....

Look at that face.

*sigh*

I wasn't kidding about him.

You can see it can't you?

Kitteh (how do you say that?)

2010-11-07T13:44:00.001-06:00

Really.

How do you get your cat to jump up there and pose not just with the famous French poster, but mirroring the thing?

They All Sleep This Way: Jonathan the Lion

2010-10-25T22:33:00.003-05:00

We all know cats sleep a lot, and are nocturnal. Big cats are no different. Some of our lions sleep up to 20 hours a day. So I have seen our magestic, gorgeous male lion Jonathan dozing or outright snoring a LOT. However, he sleeps in a really comedic way.

At least in this picture he had the manners to have his head facing the window!

Are You Nuts?

2010-10-21T21:53:00.005-05:00

Saw this and had to post it. Not sure if I like it or not, but let's face it, it's a squirrel thing, and they are rare. Someone out there likes squirrels enough to pay $89 for this lovely mango wood and pewter nut bowl.

But if it's for you, or someone on your list this holiday, you can find it at ORVIS.

Meow!

2010-10-10T20:08:00.001-05:00

Worth Going Out For... a baby elephant

2010-10-06T13:36:00.006-05:00

The weather has been gorgeous this week, and it's even been chilly in the mornings. After a hideous, humid, mostly triple-digit summer (about half the year here), it's a welcome relief. I have spent very little time out doors due to how incredibly uncomfortable it has been and because my allergies have made life a struggle, and what I'm allergic to seems to be the outdoors. That's right, the entire outdoors (and most living things, lol)

This has been a dilemma to say the least for someone who gets so much joy and calm from being in nature. I haven't ridden a bike, been in the pool, taken a walk, or visited the park for most of the year -- things I had been doing almost every day.

So when it began to feel like East Coast Fall outside, I took my sneezing, coughing, short-of-breath self for all of the above and more. This morning's activity was particularly wonderful thing to do in the cool air and sunshine... see Tupelo, our absolutely adorable new Asian elephant baby, take her first steps out into a protected area of the yard with her mom to meet the herd. She was only 3 days old.

Particularly cute was to see her older half brother, Baylor, just born 5 months ago touch her trunk with his. Until now, he was the littlest one. Born at 390 lbs, Baylor was still 90 pounds bigger than little Tupelo.

Check out the Houston Zoo's blog post to see a movie of her nursing for the first time!

And on the day I am speaking of, our talented videographers got a shot of her getting so sleepy after nursing she has to take a little nap. Warning: exceedingly cute baby feet...

Looking for a Wonderful Way to Pass the Time?

2010-10-06T10:11:00.005-05:00

Someone sent me this link to a blog about a squirrel that made a nest right on their windowsill. The pictures are amazing and so are the stories. For all my time in raising baby squirrels I've wondered how the mom does it... how often and how long they nurse, and when -- and how-- she starts teaching them how to be squirrels, so I could follow suit.

Here's a picture from the blog, which also has videos, of the mama sleeping with her three kits on her belly.

I have to share this with you, it's just too great to not be seen: http://www.thesquirrelinourwindow.com/

My favorite book is named something very similar... I wondered if the blog was done by the same author but it's not. The book is called Squirels at My Window, by Grace Spruch. Short of having my own squirrel babies to look after, nothing brings a sense of peace and burst-my -heart- joy like reading the chapters of this book. A pure delight to read, and I highly recommend it.

photo credit to Kenneth Feldman and Michelle Dortignac from The Squirrel in My Window blog.

Cold, Hard Reality

2010-09-30T17:49:00.008-05:00

So, I was driving home from work past the same little stretch of park I've mentioned before and at the very end, on a little strip of green sandwiched between a parking lot and the fast moving, 4 lane road I was on, I saw something black. And big -- about the size of a high top sneaker. Sometimes I spot moss in a bundle and think it's a squirrel until I get closer but there is nothing jet black like this in the park. I knew in a second something was off, and as I got closer it was confirmed: what I'd spotted was a large, back rabbit with very long ears, munching on greens sprouting out of a faded flower patch.

I was planning on hitting the treadmill at home, but instead I parked. I figured if I walked up to it slowly and it didn't spook, it had been owned by humans. He moved as I approached but didn't go more than one hop, or lose interest in the tender greens.

It was obvious someone had dropped their former pet off. I thought through the scenario of putting him in my carrier and getting him to the Wildlife Rehab Center, a few times. They were closed. Would I have to do this in the morning, then be late to work? I guess I could go on my lunch time. But, I'm terribly allergic to bunnies, and I'd be paying for a week to do this... BUT I remembered I knew a spot in the outdoor mews at the Center where I could place the carrier and he'd be safe for the night, so I could drop him off. I'd have to put lettuce and water in with him, so I'd have to go home and get that first. BUT that was OK. So I went back to the car, opened the carrier, got my large net, and went back.

Where the bunny had let me get very close before, now he was uncomfortable. He eyed me, stopped eating. I was not moving any faster or erratically, and had the net flush to my body so it was not poised above him; maybe I was emitting a different scent...

I waited for him to relax and start nibbling again, but when I got close enough he'd hop. Because of the lay of the land, I was in a pickle. If I positioned myself in front of the dense bushes that lined the parking lot (a perfect rabbit hideaway), his only choice was to head into traffic. If I kept him from traffic, he'd of course end up in the bushes, where I couldn't reach him. Torn between the two, I stood between him and the traffic and long story short, I eventually lost him to the leafy cover.

I could have sat down and waited much longer so he could get used to me again before I'd tried to reach out for him. I could have waited for him to come out of the bushes. But I figured the temps have dropped so he'd be comfortable by day and through the night. He had food nearby, and though there was no water, he'd be OK until I came back the next day to try it again.

I admit, some of why I didn't succeed in catching him is because I was grappling with doubt that crept into my head when I told about the duck or they see the carrier, net, gloves and all kind of food and water in my car. If I were on Animal Cops, no one would blink an eye. But without a badge you get a few, boarder-line- crazy animal-lady looks. As a result, I wasn't as patient as I could have been with the net, and I didn't wait at the bushes to see if he would come out. I tried to think about it like other people might -- he'll be fine.

24 hours later, I was driving back and didn't see him. I parked and went to the flower patch by the bushes. A quick visual scan made it obvious he wasn't there... but as I looked up into the road, I saw something flat and dark. I probably said aloud what I was thinking, as my steps quickened. It was too flat and seemed too big to be him. I was sure it was someone's hoodie crumpled and flattened by tires.

But I was wrong. He wasn't fine. I'll spare you the close up.

I try to keep it happy here but nature has many sides, and all aren't always happy or fair. I've had to take those things in, process and accept them in my own way, if I wanted to work and play in it. I even try to respect it. But this is one example of man's failure, though, not nature's.

Lessons learned:
1. I will never feel doubt again when I see an out-of-place animal and try to do something about it. I am a sub-licensed wildlife rescuer and rehabilitator.

2. People who can't take care of pets (not to mention those who only want bunnies or ducklings --whose feathers they dye in pastel colors --for a few weeks after Easter), should NOT take animals on. When they don't want it anymore, they should not drop animals off in the park and hope for the best. They aren't necessarily able to adapt to the wild. If folks are going to do it anyway, then at least drop them deep within, away from traffic.

Maybe they tried to find someone to take it, maybe they thought it'd get euthanized if they gave it to a shelter, maybe in these hard times they had to decide between pet care and food on their own table. Maybe.

Perfect

2010-09-27T19:35:00.001-05:00

Any glimpse into the
life of an animal
quickens our own
and makes it so much
the larger and better
in every way.

--John Muir

Baby Aminals!

2010-09-19T10:14:00.008-05:00

Yesterday at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums convention, which the Houston Zoo is hosting, I sat and chatted for a bit with marketing master and science whiz Andrew Bleiman and portrait painter (fall-off-your-chair talented) and photographer Chris Eastland, the creators behind Zooborns.com.

If you've never gone to this website, YOU NEED TO, immediately (well, as soon as you finish reading this of course). There you'll find a daily dose of pictures, videos and news of baby animals born in zoos all over the world. It's a great way to show the good work is being done in zoos and conservation, but it's also just good squee.

Not long ago, they featured the pictures of the Houston Zoo's 6 tiny meerkat kits.The only pics I've seen that were cuter were of the baby hippo (click link to see) and the baby otters (below), both found in these fabulous books.

Simon and Schuster made the smart decision to publish their material; as a result Zooborns have have two new books coming out. Zoo Borns!, a book for kids age 2 and up, on sale starting October 19th, and ZooBorns, a picture book with animal facts, available November 2. But, you can order them now, right here on Zooborns.com through Amazon.

10% of the sale profits go to the AZA's Conservation Endowment fund, which makes a good thing better. And they were so kind as to give me a signed copy of each to auction off at the Wildlife Rehab and Education Center's Open House in Houston, on October 15. Good Karma and great success is clearly in line for these two guys.

Look for the books --At $12.99 each (even less at Amazon.com), they are perfectly priced for all those kiddie birthday parties your child is invited to, for your Godkids, nieces and nephews, for holiday gifts, baby showers or sweet 16-- and it's not just for kids. As we well know, just about everyone swoons over baby animals. It will cheer a friend in the hospital or anyone you know who's blue; it could be a hostess gift or be an original way to say thank you, or just make any average day that much brighter...

I'll be stocking up on a few to keep in my gift arsenal.

You can also follow Zooborns on Facebook and Twitter.

Photo credits: Zooborns.com

Guess the Flea Circus was the First....

2010-09-18T00:17:00.005-05:00

I have never seen something like this. It's amazing how the longer I study animals, the more I find examples of how those "things" have more consciousness going on than they are normally given credit for. We love our dogs, we love our cats. But chickens are just chickens, right? Lambs, cows, horses. I know, horse lovers know that horses are amazing, but non-horse people like myself, someone who has spent some time around them but just see them as big, unpredictable, potentially scary large muscled beings. Who knew this is how a horse would react to a big green ball:

Seems every few years we suddenly realize that dolphins are terribly intelligent and complex, then whales, then... what's next? Makes you wonder what other animal you've been underestimating!

DOLPHINS!!!

2010-08-13T17:53:00.003-05:00

Thank you to commenter (and pal of course) Meb for another of these great animal vids. This one has dolphins, which I think I've never posted on the blog before -- mostly because I usually only post things I have shot myself and I live in scalding hot, non-oceanside Houston.

Dolphins are the BEST! Check out what their Sea World keepers saw them doing one day...

http://wimp.com/dolphinbubbles/

Joy

2010-08-09T22:34:00.003-05:00

Well, I can't seem to embed this video but it's a must see. A black lab playing with a young deer. Watched it twice myself. Here's the link at least:

http://www.wimp.com/oneball/

It reminds me of another video I put up on a prior post of an elk playing in the middle of the forest in a little pond probably made by a recent rain. This one splashed and danced around, took a break and did it again. It is just the most magical moment that someone (I assume with a camera mounted on a tree) happened to catch. Please check it out if you have a moment.

Love and protect ALL animals, please.

Owlet hatched!

2010-08-08T22:15:00.004-05:00

Last night the first egg hatched, and the chick was making itself known with the sweetest little peeps, though buried under Molly's abundant feathers. It's name is Ashley, I believe after a niece or granddaughter in the Royal family... The second egg should hatch anytime tomorrow, Monday....

Guess it will be hard for many to get any work done tomorrow! :-)

Molly the Owl -- Surprise News!!!

2010-08-08T09:11:00.005-05:00

For anyone who had been watching the Owl Cams from my links this spring, just as the babies flew the nest, MOLLY had a surprise second clutch of eggs -- 6 in all. She and McGee are such good parents, I guess it's not that much of a surprise, but there was a nice piece about the owls and Carlos and Donna Royal -- the couple who happened to set up the owl house with cameras in it in their back yard -- were on the TODAY show this morning.

They started out with 5 viewers, all family members, and as we who have checked it out (and could not stop watching) know, they have had over 15 million views from people like us all around the world. It's so compelling -- there is always something happening, especially at night, when Molly starts to vocalize. We know McGee is on his way. He flies in and they interact in very dramatic ways, as he brings her dinner. She dozes but never really sleeps as she carefully tends to the eggs, rotating each of the six again and again, tucking them under her with her beak and so on. They the eggs hatch, one by one -- which is as riveting and stomach churning as any final game of your favorite sports team or season cliffhanger of your favorite TV show. The chicks get named and we watch them grow --and grow and grow -- as McGee starts to fly in with meals more and more. Mom teaches the babies how to eat. Then they get bigger and bigger but they're all crowded into the little box. And finally, one day, each baby steps outside and flaps it's wings. One of those times it takes flight and lands on a nearby stand that may have been set up for that very thing. Then they become able to land on the owl house roof, which looks pretty cool. Eventually the nest is empty... but not anymore!!

Back to addiction watching, owlaholics! Here's the direct link again:

http://www.ustream.tv/theowlbox

For more personal stories of my own little visits with owls, you can click OWLS from the categories on the right.

PS: I haven't fact checked these but considering the source, I'm sure someone has. Here's a bunch of general info about owls from the Early Show website:

OWLS
Owls are nocturnal hunting birds. They are carnivores and closely related to hawks. Owls sleep during the day and emerge at night to hunt small prey. It is believed that there are a little over 200 species of owls in the world, inhabiting a huge variety of ecological niches, from rainforests to tundra. Owls have a large head and large eyes that face forwards (unlike other birds, whose eyes are on the sides of their head). This eye placement gives them binocular vision and very precise depth perception. Also, there are circles of radiating feathers surrounding each eye, giving them a wide-eyed, alert look. Owls cannot move their eyes within their sockets like we can. In order to look around, they have to move their entire head, which has a range of movement of about 280 degrees. They use their keen sense of sight to find prey in the dark (owls see mostly in black and white). They have an acute sense of hearing which also helps in finding meals. Owls are stealth hunters, they can easily sneak up on their prey since their fluffy feathers give them almost silent flight.

Barn Owls
The Barn Owl is one of the most widely distributed birds in the world, found on all continents except Antarctica. It is a medium-sized owl. White or mostly white underside. Heart-shaped, white face. Back tawny, marked with black and white spots. Long legs. The Barn Owl is one of the few bird species with the female showier than the male. The female is more heavily spotted. The spots may signal to a potential mate the quality of the female. The Barn Owl has excellent low-light vision, and can easily find prey at night by sight. Its ability to locate prey by sound alone is the best of any animal that has ever been tested. The Barn Owl is the best pest control, eating approximately 1,000 mice a year. These owls are often associated with ghost stories because they fly silently, their white coloring makes them appear to be floating in the night, and their call sounds like chains rattling. The Barn Owl dwells beyond the forest and lives in manmade structures such as barns.

Screech Owls
These small owls are widespread and common. The Screech Owl is found in nearly every habitat throughout the eastern United States and southern Canada. It is common in urban as well as rural areas and readily nests in nest boxes. It is one of the smallest species. It has feathered ear tufts and is highly camouflaged. Gray, brownish gray, or reddish-brown. Screech Owl pairs usually are monogamous and remain together for life. Found in most habitats with trees, including urban and suburban areas. They are great insect control, and also eat crayfish, earthworms, songbirds, rodents. A screech owl was featured in the Harry Potter movies as one of the Weasley's pets.

Barred Owls
A large owl of extensive woodlands, the Barred Owl is familiar for its distinctive "who-cooks-for-you, who-cooks-for-you-all" hooting. Head round with no ear tufts. Great Horned Owl is the most serious predatory threat to the Barred Owl. Although they often live in the same areas, the Barred Owl will avoid parts of its territory occupied by a Great Horned Owl. They eat small mammals, rabbits, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates. They live in forested areas, from swamps and riparian areas to uplands. Barred Owls typically hunt at night or at dusk by sitting on a high perch and looking and listening for prey, which they catch with a short flight or drop to the ground. Barred Owls can be aggressive, flying at and fighting rivals at the edges of their territory.

Great Horned Owls
Found from the Arctic tundra to the tropical rainforest, from the desert to suburban backyards, the Great Horned Owl is one of the most widespread and common owls in North America. It is a large owl with prominent ear tufts widely spaced on head. These feathered ear tufts are not ears, but are part of the owl's camouflage. Although they are one of the largest species, they are not heavy because they have hollow bones. The Great Horned Owl is one of the only animals that regularly eats skunks, because they don't have a sense of smell and their eyes have built in goggles that protect them if they get sprayed. They will take large prey, even other raptorial birds, even regularly killing and eating other owls. Broad diet of animals, from small mammals to rabbits, geese, and herons, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates, but mostly mammals. Uses a variety of nest sites, including trees, cliffs, buildings, and the ground. Does not make its own nest. Typically takes over nests in trees made by other bird species. They have a traditional hoot.

Thanks to earthsky.org and Shireen Gonzaga for the photo of Molly and babes.

What Ever Happened to that Duck?

2010-07-27T19:37:00.009-05:00

Never got the chance to continue the white duck story. So, as I posted below, I fell when I went against my own rules and jogged around trying to catch this bird. I dusted myself off and tried to enlist a few people to assist me in diverting the duck so I could pick him up but NO ONE responded as they passed. I mean, I was in a Zoo polo shirt, had nice hair, earrings. I looked perhaps like an upright person clearly with a job that involves animals... You'd think they'd at least say something back. Nope.

So I decided to walk him back to the Lake.

I left the carrier where it was, and picked up the blanket I'd brought, stretching it across the front of my body from arm to arm, forming a kind of cloth wall. And I started walking behind him. He marched forward, occasionally looking back at me. If he veered to the left, so did I. Ditto if he veered right, and it got him walking straight again.

We marched past the train tracks, and a sidewalk, the outdoor grills and a swing set, past gravel where people were playing ball and continued over the grass. The duck eventually started quacking at me, the frequency and volume escalating in direct relation to his increasing annoyance with me, I'm sure.

Apparently he can't fly, or I'd assume he'd have taken off at some point. Which most likely means he was owned by someone who dropped him off when they got tired of caring for him.

He finally got tired and resigned -- just stopped in his tracks. I slowly approached, and gently picked him up, just like I was taught as a docent at the Zoo. He sat calmly in the blanket as I walked him steadily the rest of the way, though his bill was open a little the rest of the way. Didn't know if he was hot or pissed. Just a few more steps and I could place him into the water. There was another duck already paddling around close to shore and I hoped that was a good thing. Maybe this duck had been bullied and was seeking refuge so far away. Or maybe it just needed to see another duck in the lake to realize he was one himself, and should take like the proverbial duck to water.

Once floating, I watched him for a few minutes. He seemed unsure he wanted to be there but that faded with in 60 seconds. His bill closed, he took a few dunks in the water, and then began to nibble at the greens growing below the water's surface, as naturally as if he'd been there all his life (and hadn't been annoyed by a 5'7" wingless, webless biped)

I headed all the way back in the scorching sun, numb from my chin to my hairline, collected my carrier and bread, then trudged even further to where I'd parked the car. My jeans were ripped, and prime spots were covered in dirt from my fall. So far, the novicane was holding (this paragraph only makes sense if you read the previous post). I got home and fell into bed.

Two days later, my tooth is 100% better. I'm driving to work and see a bright white football shaped thing in a similar place in the grass.

(yes Ellen, you're psychic)

THE DUCK WAS BACK!!!

The Duck is White and I'm Black and Blue

2010-07-24T11:17:00.007-05:00

This is a continuation of the story I started about the Pekin duck I found dangerously close to a busy main road at the Park. If you haven't seen it, it would help to click the link to read it first.

The next day, I find myself dying at work. Had a massive toothache out of the blue, radiating into my eye and jaw. Left work for an X-ray and they said I had to see a specialist right then who'd fit me in. I drove back to work first to get some papers to bring with me, and I see a white fluffy butt on that lawn, STILL.

I could not stop now, but I thought about it all the way through the two + hour root canal I had done that afternoon. She shot me up with something just as I was leaving and told me that would help me when the novicaine wore off, but after that I ought to be where I needed to be for the rest of the night because I'd be in pain. Knowing I had an hour or so before I might be unable to function, I had to go save that duck. He was so far from any parking lot, it was going to be a hike, in boiling temps to boot. With a fresh root canal.

I parked in the lot near the fountains, and studied what I had in the trunk. I decided on a carrier, cracked corn, bread, and a blanket. My large net might have been good, but I'd left it at home. I bucked up and began the walk, thinking of my strategy the entire time. I decided to put the carrier down, and gently approach the duck, drop bread pieces and earn it's trust, then pick it up, put it in the carrier and take it to the lake.

Long story short, it didn't work. He was rather skittish and while interested in the bread, there was no way to get close. It's pretty clear that I was in a hurry under the circumstances, and he sensed that. Not my usual whisperer style... so I did what I never do -- I chased him. This is never a good thing. The animal always wins. I was wearing keen sandals, and if you know them you also know they have knobby rubber toe guards. Well I caught that on the edge of the kiddie railroad track and landed hard on my knees, then fell to the side on my right hip.

Here were the knees two days later. The one on my hip looked like I got it skiing (and falling) 0n the icy slopes of New England.And three days later, the bruises that had astonished me to begin with were MUCH worse -- 5 x larger -- on both knees.
What? Do I have a vitamin deficiency???? And yet, when I think it was all to save a duck, it makes me smile.

Oh yes, I did end up delivering him safely to the lake. To be continued....

Danger! Danger!

2010-06-20T09:24:00.010-05:00

Tuesday I was driving home from work, which is a whopping 6 minute commute. I drive past about a mile or so of grass on the back end of The Park, continue on a few lights and boom: my apartment.

So I'd just turned onto Main street and within several feet saw a large Pekin duck (the Alfac kind) about to step into traffic. There is no curb, only two lanes in each direction, with a MetroRail speeding down the middle. I quickly checked my mirror and saw I had a few seconds before the fast-moving cars behind me would be on my fender, so I hit my blinkers, hopped out of my jeep, and shooed the single webbed foot that was poised above the hot cement, ready to step itself into feather heaven, back onto the grass (or in this case, a puddle left by an afternoon downpour).

... to be followed by the next step, and the next, as I continued behind him making encouraging motions and sounds until he was safely over the sidewalk, and the kiddie railroad tracks beyond.

As I did this, I glanced over my shoulder at the car several times, realizing it was highly likely someone could not be paying attention and ram right into it as I was busy walking the duck back to safety. But I have my priorities! (If I'd gotten a flat, that's what I'd have had to do, so people could think I had car trouble for a few seconds, and go around me. I've since bought florescent orange, mini construction cones for extra assurance that I would act responsibly toward humans as well, should I need an emergency stop again).

I'd never seen waterfowl on this side (not to mention this far from the H20) in the 4 plus years I've been here. To get to this road, he had wandered past picnic benches, rest rooms, BBQ grills, playgrounds (with their attendant kids, parents and pets), the children's trains' tracks and it's pick up station and two sidewalks spread across acres and acres of grass and gravel.

While I was marching the duck inland, I calculated just how far away the lake was, and realized that I could not exactly leave my car where it was for long enough to get him there. By this time he'd begun to quack loudly, clearly annoyed by me. I got him to another deep double puddle made by the earlier rain. Once his feet were in water and he had something to drink, I decided that would have to do. And he seemed happy enough to stay here. I raced back to the car and drove off, hoping that he would remain safe...

There's much more to this story so keep an eye out for the next installment!

There's Something About Mary

2010-06-14T20:11:00.005-05:00

Get ready for a dose of sweetness. I just melt into a puddle when I see these movies. Baby squirrel season is long over... it won't come again until Fall, but now I get to sort through various pictures and little video clips I've taken along the way. Too busy while they're in my charge to do it. It's just the most enormous privilege and I still can't quite believe that I get to care for these darling little beings. I dare you to look at these and call them Tree Rats!

I had a trio I've written about. Like any rehabber, I don't name them, because they're wild animals, not pets, and I'm just a temporary caregiver, there to serve their health and growth for a short time until they can be released back into nature. But for the purposes of telling a story on the blog, I usually attach names to animals and in this case, I called this one Mary -- as she was part of a trio with two brothers (Peter and Paul, natch). It's easier to read about PP&M than # 18 19, & 20 isn't it?

I've had infant squirrels, eyes as yet unopened, who lift up their little noses when I've raised the lid of their tank to peer in. Even if they are in a dead sleep, it seems the squirrel's highly developed sense of smell (which later serves them in locating nuts they've buried, even if the ground is covered with snow) lets them know "mom" is there. And since they don't interact with me for the most part except at feeding and cleaning time, mom really means MILK.

But there was something about Mary... she did something to-die-for cute, which was to start smacking her little mouth in anticipation when I'd lift her up. I got the camera one morning and managed to catch it. Here, I'd just put her brother who I'd just finished feeding into a fleece lined bowl with the other brother who I'd fed first. Mary was in a deep little sleep (they look like such angels) and like any sleepy baby, was not sure she wanted to get up for breakfast. I stroked her nose to try to give her a little warning. But once I lift her up she realizes what's happening and does her uh-dorable little smacking thing.

AND NOW YOU CAN SEE THESE MOVIES FULL SCREEN FINALLY!!!! Just click the little arrows in the lower left corner of the screen below.

Aaaaaahhhh so cute! Those little paws pushing out, like Heeeey wait, where are we going? Then a little clip of her sweetly drinking:

A few cc's later and she is conked out, trusting, innocent, peacefully sleeping in my hand. And you have NO idea how utterly soft and feather light these little ones are. And that thin little tail, curling up on reflex. I could watch these 1000 times, while my heart swells and a plethora of little cartoon hearts float around my head.

WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE?

An Enchanting Story

2010-06-13T23:04:00.003-05:00

Hey everyone --
Hey Everybody!

One of our fellow bloggers, Bindu, whose blog is fantastic (called Transient Lives), wrote a blog post when I first dicsovered her, that I never have forgotten. I asked her to write it up for me and send the pictures she'd taken so I could re-post it on the Houston Zoo's blog as a guest blogger. Having just read it again, I am still feeling the journey of the story. It's so well written, I just thought you might want to read it. Trust me, it's worth the click!

See the Post HERE.

And if you care to, please leave a comment and support a fellow blogger! We all live for comments!

Today's Giggle

2010-06-13T14:10:00.002-05:00

So Cute I'm Melting!

2010-06-07T23:08:00.003-05:00

I don't often put on stuff that's not my own but this is just major smile material. Cheer you up no matter what you're day's been like stuff.

Trust me, this is one of the cutest videos ever. Watch it to the very end though... there's bonus cute stuff when they float away and then come back together.

Beware!

2010-06-06T23:00:00.000-05:00

Another Good Day

2010-05-27T22:09:00.004-05:00

I stopped by The Center Wednesday in the middle of the day... now that I am working full time, and was packing/moving/unpacking in every spare second for the last 8 weeks, AND have had the absolute worst seasonal allergies ever for months, I have not been able to physically volunteer there. I have been doing other things for them and I do miss being hands on.

But I found a juvenile blue jay floundering in the middle of the road with two cars speeding toward it from opposite directions. I thought someone had hit it or it'd fallen out of a nest or had crashed trying to learn to fly. I leapt out of my car, stopped the traffic, grabbed some cloth from the backseat, slowly approached the bird, and it allowed me to pick it up ever so gently.

The mother was doing all kinds of kaw-ing and fluttering from branch to branch overhead. I did follow her onto someone's lawn and held the baby up to the mother, who definitely turned her head so that one eye could fix on the fledgling. I was hoping the bird would just fly up to mom, after being stunned in the street. It's mouth was wide open, and while there was no blood, it's right foot was crunched up beneath her and her right wing was askew. There was no flying to mom, and mom eventually flew further away, though still sounding distressed. I was thinking, broken wing, and was hoping it didn't mean internal injuries instead. So I put it in my carrier and called work.

My fabulous boss suggested I indeed go ahead and take it to the Center, which fortunately was only about 12 minutes drive (with me speeding a little, of course). I noticed that the bird seemed quite calm, and had shut it's mouth, and was not seeming stressed. That was good. When I dropped the bird off, no sooner was it put on triage row that it suddenly came to life. Both feet and wings seemed to work okay! And it was tapping it's beak against the glass, like let me out. I asked, "Do I take it back then, and set it free?" The answer was no. There could be injuries, it could have been a stroke... better to be there where it could be observed and treated if so, and well fed and protected from predators, leading to being set free in a few weeks anyway. Win/win.

So I went to leave, and one of the volunteers happened to walk by holding this:

A most beautiful bobcat. Look at that foot! I'd never seen a bob cat before, and here this little one was, as sweet and docile as any house kitten. I asked if she snapped or bit or clawed and the answer was no... but we all know someday soon, that will be her nature. In the mean time I did have to reach out to touch it's furry head and take hold of one paw, just because...

I'd read on their website about this one who was brought in by a hiker who said it had followed her around the woods for over an hour, no mom in sight. I thought, darn, I will not be able to see something so extraordinary, because I'm not able to be there as much right now. And lo and behold, I got this little blessing.

Add that to the fact that the blue jay did not meet her end on the hot concrete and has another chance to grow up and live and fly, and it was a damn good day.

Baaah

2010-05-24T22:28:00.004-05:00

It's not quite Teddy, the goat beloved by this blogger and apparently this blog's readers but this little lamb came to The Center for day care. While he was able to curl up and nap in this area, I caught him awake and saying hello.

Short, but sheep.

Just Ducky

2010-05-23T11:59:00.001-05:00

.... and Geese-y, to be completely accurate.

I took a walk in The Park for the first time in a long time. I've been so busy with all the other ways I've gotten involved with animals that the place that started me in this direction -- The Park and all the animal regulars in it -- have fallen on the back burner. * hanging head* Isn't that just like life... I never want to take things for granted that are that special. So I got myself there, with bread and cracked corn in my pockets.

I've written often about the ones who I developed relationships with, Mr. and Mrs Goose probably getting top billing (had to say it). So the first two I looked for were them. They are the biggest and the loudest, so they are not hard to find, if they're not resting deep within the thicket on the island in the middle of The Lake. Thankfully I saw them right away, padding around in a rather soggy patch of forest, pecking at greens, which seem to be a daily part of their diet.

However, when I held out a little bread, it got their attention!

I included this second picture because it shows both of their faces in profile. It's worth clicking on the picture to open and see how beautiful they are. And she, who is the smaller of the two and in the lower right of the picture, has features that just look more feminine, even though their markings are almost identical. She looks like she has a more almond shaped eye, or up-swept eyeliner on....

And then there was Elvis.... the Muscoy duck. Once in a while I don't see him but overall he is a fixture, never straying from the edges of the reflection pool

And I also saw the third of my top three favorite buddies, the Indian Running duck. I don't have any name for him but as I've written here, he quacks me up with his adrenalized personality. He runs faster than any of the others over to me, and can't stand still be cause he is so revved up. He quacks at rapid speed and also stamps his little orange feet. So funny.

As a result, most of my pictures of him are blurred like the one below, because he's in such constant motion. And he's in the middle of talking to me. Fast talking, fast walking, very verbal... this duck could easily be a New Yorker (said fondly, as I consider myself to be one -- a New Yorker that is).

He looks like he's saying: WHERE WERE YOU??? DO YOU LIKE SQUIRRELS BETTER THAN US NOW????

The answer is, no.

I'm quite smitten with them all.

A Wee Turtle's Lucky Day -- And Mine

2010-05-17T21:08:00.001-05:00

On a recent, wet and overcast spring day I was walking through The Park in what I call "squirrel forest." It's an area that was full of tall trees and populated by tons of Fox squirrels. While there still are a lot of those, the trees took a hit between Hurricane Ike and the massive construction that went on in the area for most of 2009. There are still things that go on in the name of improvement and restoration over there, and the day I was walking it seems they'd put in a bunch of new mulch.

To this day I have no idea how I spotted this but I had just handed out nuts to dozens of squirrels and was ready to get home. I started walking toward the path when somehow my eyes fell on a tiny little shape that looked the color of the bits of tree bark mixed in with the dark, moist topsoil. I stooped to get a closer look and I thought I saw little hands or a foot. By the time my eyes focused those were gone but sure enough, it was the underside of a tiny turtle. Thank goodness I stopped because I don't know what would have happened otherwise. It was a miracle I didn't step on him, but he was also so far away from the water, I have no idea how he got there, let alone how he'd ever get back.

I picked him up in my gloves and saw that he had indeed both sets "hands" and "feet", a tail and head. And he seemed alive though his head was tucked so far back into his shell (as mine would be if an utter GIANT had picked me up) so I couldn't see his eyes. I wish I'd have thought to take a picture of it, but I was more concerned that he was alive and well. I walked as carefully as I could with him in one palm, upright and flat, with the other had cupping over it, to give him a sense of security -- if that can be had while something has taken you waaaay up into the air and now you are inevitably jostling with each resounding step.

I went to a place I knew there were lots of turtles and babies, but there was no shoreline. If he was not well, or unable to swim, I wanted him to be able to get out. I know nothing about turtles, and maybe he'd have been fine, but I wanted to pick a place that would give him the option to stay on land or step into the water when he was ready. I also wasn't sure if other turtles were territorial, or if he'd be bullied or picked on by others if he was not a part of their group. I thought of the shallows where so many seasoned duck mothers lead their little babies, but I know that snapping turtles lurk just below and with one swift motion can grab something little on the surface for s snack. I am not sure a turtle would eat a turtle, but I continued on. Finally I found a moss covered log, the same one where I've seen a turtle sunning himself every now and again. That could act as a "shoreline", where the little guy could stay until he wanted to swim away. I put him down and stood there for about 20 minutes, watching.

Slowly, his head came out, then a foot, then all his limbs and his tail. He hung there for another 10 minutes, and then I noticed he ventured into the water, hanging on to the log with the toe nails of one little foot. I smiled and took a few pictures, and decided all was well enough.

If you'd like an idea of just how small he was, here is a picture that will show you. This log is about as big as my forearm.... And that's my shadow snapping the pic.

It's this kind of stuff that makes me feel I've earned my day on earth. Call me crazy, but it makes me feel good.

Life is Good

2010-05-16T12:27:00.002-05:00

When you have a nice fuzzy place to sleep!

CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO SEE JUST HOW COMFY THIS CORNER REALLY IS!

Wise Words

2010-05-14T20:21:00.002-05:00

Any glimpse into the
life of an animal
quickens our own
and makes it so much
the larger and better
in every way.

--John Muir

How About a Twin Foal Cam

2010-05-12T19:25:00.002-05:00

Here is a link to a mama horse who had a set of twins. One needed to have a kind of cast on first one front leg and then both because of soft knees. This was shortly after it was born, but with the exuberance that all newborn baby animals seem to have, it innocently accepted that this was the way it was and did a great job of hopping around after his or her sibling, nursing and taking naps in the nice hay.

This trio is lovingly cared for by a staff night and day, who you will see interact with them often, doing chores around them or attending to them. Check it out by CLICKING HERE or go to: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/sunnyandangeltwinfoals

Thank you to commenter and very good pal Laurie for sending me this link!

More Dogs

2010-05-09T10:47:00.001-05:00

Picture of the Day

I was going in to the grocery store the other day and saw this utterly sweet doggie dozing outside. It had the most peaceful, lovely face. I only had my iPhone with me (no zoom) and I didn't want to get too much closer to get the shot for fear of him or her moving, so I snapped what I could. If you click on it, maybe it will enlarge enough to see what I mean. Click on the photo to enlarge it.

Dogs are just such special beings. They wait for you, they are so patient, they love love love you and no matter what, that tail will start wagging.
Anybody know what kind of dog this is?

It's GOAT TIME on the blog!

2010-05-04T18:22:00.004-05:00

Hello -- I'm looking right at you with my horizontal pupil. Do you like my hair? Do you like my ears? I hope so because I've been told I'm just really likable in general.

And what do I like? Just about anything I can chew on.... um, because I'm a GOAT, and that's what goats do.

Here I am last summer in my pen when Rochelle took a little movie of me. Her camera looked pretty tasty -- and so did her shirt sleeve, come to think of it -- and I tried to get to it but she was just out of reach. So I stood around a little and then I got disinterested.

If you want to see a pic of me as a baby, CLICK HERE -- Don't pass it up. Go ahead, I was really cute. Not to say that I'm not really REALLY cute now.... But I prefer handsome, or striking since I am indeed all black and white.

It's Baby Bird Time!

2010-05-02T10:43:00.005-05:00

Baby birds start out as small as this. The first time I saw one -- with such thin skin you could see all their blood moving through their veins, with eyes undeveloped, and the tiniest little half limbs -- I didn't believe it could possibly eat or live.

But even in such a vulnerable state, that little rim of bright school bus yellow opens wide as soon as food it put near and every morsel delivered is consumed with great vigor. It's flabbergasting, and only reinforces what miracles of nature go on every day, all around us, all the time.

As they grow, the little half-limbs I mention become strong and feathered wings, their eyes mature and finally open, their little legs get strong enough to shoot their growing bodies straight up when I walk by because I MEAN FOOD (and they want it every 15 minutes it seems, except at night, when birds settle in for sleep) and their little yellow beaks open to reveal the brightest pink and red mouths. Here's what I see when I walk by a tank:

Now once the bird gets to a beginning fledgeling, we move them to bigger tanks and put them in a room that's enclosed in netting, as when you open the lid, often a hungry baby now can flit up and out. Here is one who did just that but simply perched close to me on the lid of the tank next to it. Generally speaking, it's often the babies who are most aggressive get the most food in the nest -- though some experienced mothers make sure everyone gets enough. But this little guy kept hopping out to beat out his or her two siblings who stayed in the tank.

Fledgelings add flapping their wings and making much noise, squawking "SEE ME, FEED ME, ME ME ME mom!!!!" Now when I'm out in late springtime I can make out fledgling squawkings. If I take a second or two to look, and indeed I do, I manage to find a nest and a mother nearby.

At some point, that turns into the babies taking their first tentative steps out of the nest, so you may see them actually sitting on a branch next to it, looking all fluffy and even a little like their molting as bigger feathers begin to replace their baby fuzz. Soon they begin flying lessons I think, since I've seen them trying to hop to nearby twigs following the mother who hops ahead of them -- I assume she's showing them how it's done.

I think grackles must be like those kids who never stop going to college, or come home to live after... they look fully grown and still hop after their mothers flapping their perfectly competent wings, insisting loudly that their mother give them half of whatever she's got. The more you observe, them more you realize that animals are really not that much different than us in so many ways!

Good Doggie!

2010-04-10T19:59:00.002-05:00

I walked out of the Kroger the other night and as I approached my car, I saw this:

I think dogs can be hilarious in so many ways. But this one was rather unique in that in waiting for his master....

he took a chill pill.

Yeah!
It would have been no surprise to me if Jazz music was playing from the radio and there was a thin line of cigarette smoke rising out of his nostrils.
Dogs are so great.

I Found Two Chickens, Part Two!

2010-04-10T18:11:00.015-05:00

If you click HERE or just scroll down to the previous post, you will know what all this is about.

Last I left you, I had two beautiful hens that had spent the night and were starting a low burrrrrr noise (which I caught on both films below) when I was brushing my teeth. After I gave them a drink of water, I gently lifted them out of the box one by one and put them back in the carrier in which I'd brought them upstairs. One didn't want to go -- and tried to stick it's foot against the door, which I can only assume meant that I was a fabulous hostess.

I am kidding, you know.

Other than that millisecond of hesitation, they went into without incident. Here they are:

I covered the carrier with my leopard blanket and went down in the service elevator, again praying I wouldn't be discovered. But if I had been -- can you picture that encounter? Though this being Texas.... maybe it wouldn't surprise anyone. It was about 7:30 AM on a Saturday morning, so that helped. The elevator was deserted. And seeing that we're moving out in about 10 days, I had little to lose.

Once I secured the cage in the passenger seat, I drove carefully for 15 minutes or so to The Wildlife Center. On the way, I took the blanket off and put the window down so they could enjoy the fresh air and morning sun (for anyone who doesn't know, it's roosters that cock-a-doodle-do at the first hint of morning).

When I got there, I was instructed to put them in one of the outdoor pens, which was my hope. Then I went to get them a nice big pan of water and another filled with chicken scratch. What's great about volunteering at this place is that it allowed me to take care of them all the way through. It wasn't a day I was coming in, but instead of just dropping them off I could get them settled before I left.

But there was a little surprise.... there just so happened to be a handsome white rooster next to them, and it was a riot when I put the girls in the adjacent pen. He immediately zeroed in on them, and for the first few minutes, they were both standing side by side, giving him an audience. He proceeded to bu-kaw and strut, and scrape the gravel back with his feet like James Brown. He paced back and forth working his neck as I melted into a puddle. I mean really, I'm a city girl. No matter how long I've been around wildlife now, it's all new to me. I thought this shit only happened in cartoons/comedy skits or was exaggerated, but apparently, it's art mirroring life.

Mistah Fiiine Feathas... Now I see where Jagger gets it.

By the way, I have since caught myself (always when alone mind you) making that low burrrrr burrrr sound out loud, including variations, to amuse myself. I may have done it unconsciously though, god knows how many times. Perhaps I did it in my car, and someone may have seen me and wondered if I was singing to the radio or talking to someone on one of those blue tooth earplug things that I abhor (but never say never). Thank goodness for a place that forces you to have the AC on in the car so the windows were up. That's my guarantee that no one could have actually heard that I was, in fact... clucking.

Found: Two Chickens!

2010-04-10T18:10:00.013-05:00

OK, so I was driving home from a bar, having had two shots of tequila and a beer and I found two chickens.

Sounds like the start of a joke, but it's true, and it gets better. At least I think it's funny. I was at the bar for farewell party for someone at the zoo, where I volunteer. I was heading back home before dinner and as I drove past the mansion-filled street en route, I saw two beautiful black and white hens pecking away at the grass.

I have never forgiven myself for not taking The Chicken at the Park and ensuring her safety (I finally went out with a carrier, cracked corn and a net and never found her... and I've never seen her again). As you can see by clicking HERE and HERE, after the construction on the site of her old home, where the little train shack had been in The Park, she took to living under a little bridge in the parking lot. While this provided plenty of coverage, insects to peck at in the plants and a water source, I saw her waaay too often in the middle of the road. YES, OR TRYING TO CROSS THE ROAD.

Either something really good happened to her, or something really bad. I was not going to risk it with these two. So I gave them some corn to eat while I rang a few bells in the neighborhood to ask after them. No one had ever seen them before or knew who they belonged to. That was all I needed to hear.

I had a carrier in the trunk and by now, a tattooed girl who was riding past parked her bike and helped me catch them. It was very easy, so I realized they were used to human beings. When we got home, we tossed a blanket over the carrier and snuck them up the elevator in our high rise. They don't allow wild animals so I was hoping no one would let a BUK-KAW rip at that very moment. The girls were good. Very very good.

I had no idea what to do to make them comfortable for the night but after a little thought it ended up that I put them in a big new deep Dell box with a floor of thick newspaper. I added a towel and a tee shirt to half. That whole thing went in my egg shaped bath tub in the guest bathroom where they would not be disturbed by sound or light for the night.

Before I tucked them in, I put cracked corn in the corner and they started pecking, so they couldn't be too upset. Then I held a tupperware container of water about beak level and they very delicately drank quite a bit. I was able to rest easy knowing they had their fill; if I'd left it in there for the night they'd have spilled it.

I put a light blanket over the top of the crate, as there were air holes on the sides. All was a quiet. Fast Foward to 7 AM the next day:

Good Morning Chickens! Time to sneak out and take you to The Wildlife Center.

Apparently they slept standing up? I gave them water and in the 20 minutes it took for me to get ready to go, one of them was starting a hysterical low buuuuuur noise. Cracked me up.

Tune in tomorrow for part two -- a happy ending.

Baby Barn Owl update

2010-04-09T08:01:00.002-05:00

Whether or not the temps are going crazy where we live, spring is definitely here... The best proof of it is that the animal world is having babies, babies, babies.

You may or may not be a fan of how much technology has become a part of our lives. I straddle the fence on that issue, but I have to say being able to see a close up of a Bald eagle sitting on her nest, then watching eggs hatch and seeing the babies grow until they fly away has been a miracle afforded only by the fact that cameras and the internet exist.... and the good people who set all of it up and run the video. Come to think of it, if you and I have been enjoying all these links, it probably would be a pretty good thing to donate to them... even the cost of a Starbucks for one day. Or better yet, the price of a movie if you've been watching a lot. I'm going to be sure I do that this weekend, and I didn't think of it until I started writing this!

One link I've been watching a lot is the owl cam with Molly the mother, and McGee the dad, who hunts and does a great job of bringing she and the babies food, while she sits on the nest. At first she tirelessly turned them, and, after positioning her legs just so, sat back down on them to keep them just the right temp. Though she dozed a lot, she never seemed to get more than a minute or two of sleep before she adjusted again. Then we watched as the fist egg hatched Max, then the second, third, and fourth.... only leaving the nest twice each night for a a minute or two to stretch her wings and poop.

McGee's dramatic entrances (she starts making a clicking noise and he flies in with a field mouse and they screech a lot before he flies off) are not to be missed. Watching the little ones baby barn owl faces, their dark eyes blinking, those little wings lifting and sprouting fuzzy feathers is just fabulous. At any given time they have tens of thousands of people watching world wide.

CLICK HERE to see or go to: http://www.ustream.tv/theowlbox

I'm telling you, even if you're not into owls, it's a must see.... you will become a fan! The cameras go to infared at night, because they are so active then. But no matter what time of day you tune in, there's something going on. Right now I'm watching mom feed them little strips of meat as their heads bob out from under her body!

thank you to www.slcrr.org/ wildbirds.html for the barn owl with rodent picture and to www.owltime.co.uk/ Creche.htm for the pic of the baby owls

Lunch!

2010-04-02T15:40:00.006-05:00

I keep trying to capture the utter bliss and bonding that happens for squirrels and substitute moms alike when it's time to nurse, but I can never seem to hold the squirrel, the milk and the camera at the same time. This though, is one of the better attempts. It caught a little of the paw action, those cute little pads that are so warm and those long, long fingers with what looks like a very fancy kind of manicure.... those little nails.

But I think I like this one because it catches the little mouth movement that some do after drinking. A little smack of the mouth, moving the last of the milk around on that little tongue like it's the best milkshake ever. And there is a full on face shot that I hope conveys just how cute these little fellas are.

As you can see by the last few frames, it's only a few seconds before the little one is in motion again...

Actually, after milk they usually go down fast, crash right in your hand and are fast asleep in 10 seconds flat. I wish I could sleep like that!

Little Deer Teeth

2010-04-02T15:37:00.006-05:00

OK, this is what I live for. I was just walking to my car in the parking lot and had this little encounter with a very pretty (not to mention sociable) doe.

Oh, and those big liquid doe eyes!

When this kind of thing happens, and it happens a lot these days, I think I'm dreaming, and my life could not get any better.... well, if I were living in Paris and drinking cafe creme and writing /reading/dancing all night, or lying on a beach in Hawaii, or living with all the money in the world in a fabulous apartment in New York City, able to give lots of dough away like Bill and Melinda Gates are doing, that would certainly ALSO be great.

But I have to say, when I am with animals, I completely forget there is anything else in the world. I've tried to describe this before but I think I fail to convey it well. When I was walking to my car I probably had my mind on a million things. I had just been at a meeting, needed to make some notes when I got home, was thinking of the next place I had to go, and how I'd fit in several other errands and phone calls. I was probably composing an e-mail or two and thinking about canceling or setting up another appointment too (It's been a REALLY busy time).

But when I saw these three does enjoying the fresh air and sunshine on the lawn, I became instantly and completely engaged on all levels with the here and now. Does that ever happen to you?

If I am hungry, have to pee, need to be at an appointment, have something sad going on in my life, or there are a stack of bills waiting to be paid, they all become suspended while I am in communion with these fascinating creatures. No wonder they have such powers to delight even the most hardened criminal, heal hearts or bodies as they make theraputic rounds at old folks homes, hospices, childrens hospitals, and do their rehabilitative magic for the disabled-- not to mention those stories in the news of special companion dogs that powers to warn their masters before the onset of a heart attack or the hospice cats that take up residence on the bed of a person who is about to pass away, holding vigil.

There is something else going on behind the veil, and I'm not sure I will ever know what it's all about. But for me to stop everything and focus completely is no minor feat. And an animal will do it to me every single time. Now that is quite a miracle of nature.

Does it work that way for you too? Do you have your own amazing results when you have an animal encounter?

Hatched Duckling update

2010-04-01T13:57:00.002-05:00

I wrote a few days ago (CLICK HERE or scroll down one post to see) about a baby muscovy duck who hatched when I was walking by the incubator. Here she is, just two days later!! Notice the two toned tootsies. That's my favorite part!

As you can see, she's doing fine, running around her little temporary tank. Ducklings like to be in a group, as soon as she gets a little bigger she will be put in one of the bigger outdoor pens in fresh air with other ducks. In the mean time, I'm sure young ducklings will get brought in and she will have some company to cuddle up to well before that.

Another First

2010-03-28T15:25:00.005-05:00

One of the great things about life is that, depending on how you live it, you can always have firsts. I have never seen a duck hatch.... and I still haven't but I did see it within seconds after as we were just walking by the incubator and the person I was with said, "Look! The duckling just hatched!"So now you've seen it too.

See the two parts of the egg with brown inside at the back left, right by the thermometer? Hard to believe she was in there just seconds before. (Click to see any photo enlarged). Notice that she is still wet and has a piece of the shell still on her. I don't know if the mother normally cleans them (I doubt it) or if they just teeter around (this one tried it's new legs and was wobbly, then had to stop and rest every few seconds) until they're all fluffy.

Look at that sweet little baby. Welcome to the world! This might be one to click on so the picture will enlarge.

Here's another where you can better see that she still has a little piece of shell stuck to her feathers. They drink pretty quickly after being born. I remain in awe of Mother Nature!

We're not sure but it looks like none of the other eggs seem to be viable. There has been no tapping from the beaks inside chipping away to get out. They were candled and you could not see much of anything inside. But they'll stay in the incubator for a few more days to see if we are wrong.

Check back in a few days and I will try to get some footage of her once she's fuzzy and full of energy and peeps!

Until then I have some questions -- Is this a first for you too? Of all the animals in the world, which would you like to see being born or immediately after like I did? I know, I know, so many to choose from. Then tell me your top three!

Three Dehydrated Babes

2010-03-25T18:18:00.000-05:00

After I returned Peter Paul and Mary to The Center, I gave myself another two week rest and started on Allegra. Spent the whole of Sunday helping there. At the end of the day there were three puny ones that needed to be fed at least twice more before bed and nursed, so I brought them home. These two, #20 and 21 were on triage. They came in with a sibling who was DOA. Both were really dehydrated and weak, the female more than the male. It has been hard to get her to even stir when I feed her. She lays in my hands as if she were asleep, but I administer milk drop by drop and watch for the little swallow in her throat. Right now I am diluting it with plain Pedialyte. The stuff in it will help revive them. Should take a day or so.

Poor skinny sweet babies. The third, #22, is a female Fox. She has one eye almost open. It's easy to forget that they are still infants because they are so much bigger and at times furrier than Grays. This little one also came in with her brother who died and has had the runs for two days. I have her on diluted milk and will feed her enough hours apart that I'm sure all the previous meal has cleared her system. Gave her a drop of medicine before taking her home that I hope will work and have her being regular within 24 hours. Once she's OK I will mix her milk with Pedialyte for a day.

Sleepy little one. She's in the small shoebox I drove her home in, laying on a dark gray rice sock that I'd heated in the microwave to keep her cozy for the ride. Squirrels like to have their noses pressing against or preferably tucked under something. With her head bent, it's not because she doesn't feel well... it's her way of pressing her nose to something as there is no fabric to push under.

As soon as both systems are normalize I will increase the milk ratio mixed with purified water to get the calorie and fat count up that they need at this critical time of growth.