It’s nice to get to know a bit about the artist behind the jewelry. I live on the west coast for a reason! I’m pretty much a fair-weather person, so when it snows here, it’s a big deal!
It’s nice to get to know a bit about the artist behind the jewelry. I live on the west coast for a reason! I’m pretty much a fair-weather person, so when it snows here, it’s a big deal!
Story #1: Tiny Sparrow
My friend was going out for a walk in the snow and returned immediately, handing me a very tiny sparrow. She found her sitting in the snow, not moving. My love bird weighs about 43 grams, and this little one was so much smaller, and her wing feathers look ruffled. The sparrow pressed her head and body in my hands as I held her to help her warm-up.
Eventually, I thought it best to let her recover in a box with some food and water. I let her be for about 10 minutes, and she was definitely perky and ready to get out. She let me pick her up again. She knew I was trying to help her. I could see that she ate some seeds.
When she was ready I took her outside, and after a moment, she flew away from me. First, she flew to the fence and then to the tree and hung out with other sparrows. It felt so good to see her back with the other birds.
Story #2: Two entangled Bald Eagles
Where I used to live we were blessed to have all sorts of rappers around: owls, hawks and eagles were regular visitors.
One evening on our walk, we found two mature bald eagles entangled in each other. They had been fighting, and one, in particular, was injured. I heard them before I saw them. You might imagine that seeing them two feet from me was such a gift, but scary too.
To assess the situation, I kept my distance and spoke gently to help calm them down. I also asked others who gathered to step away so as not to frighten them.
The Call for Help
When the eagles were sufficiently calm and unable to fly away, I called for the expert help of OWL, a local service that helps injured raptures. I tried again to get these two gorgeous birds to separate to no avail.
Eventually, people left, and the eagles & I were left there at night waiting for OWL to arrive. And then a guy started to approach. He was walking swiftly and clearly did not notice me trying to get him to slow down and to be quiet. The quick action and noise startled the eagles so much the healthiest one was now calm enough to fly away. He looked strong.
Looking for the Injured Eagle
The other eagle struggled and managed to get a few feet off the ground and fly away. This was when OWL arrived! We went searching for this poor eagle, who I was so worried about. Other people who had come out for a night walk also started looking but to no avail.
OWL: Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society
I was so grateful for such an unusual experience! The people from OWL were great. I know their work and have been to OWL in Ladner when they have open house events.
Please follow OWL on Facebook if you want to know more. They help rescue, rehabilitate, and release raptors to get back to the wild. They provide guided tours for the public. And you can adopt one of their permanent residents, as well as donate to this amazing Society.
Location: 3800 72nd Street, Delta, BC V4K 3N2
Office Hours: 9am-4pm daily (closed holidays)
Phone: 604.946.3171 Available 24 hours for Raptor emergencies.
Follow Them: FaceBook, Twitter, Instagram
You are such a caring person Donelle & I’m sure the birds appreciate your help.💕
Thanks, Catharine! It’s funny that the eagles responded to my voice and actually calmed down. And the sparrow snuggled into the palm of my hand and let me help her too. They warm my heart. Donelle