(Post-dated 11/30/11 for when it was originally posted.)
Thanksgiving has come and gone, and I actually rather enjoyed it this year. Not quite as awkward as last years "family gathering" full of unfamiliar, and not particularly friendly people. This year it was just myself, Shawn, His mother, and one of our mutual friends. Thanksgiving fell on my usual volunteer day, and as opposed to taking the day off, I opted to compromise by going in early around 9:30am, and leaving around 2. There was a surprising number of people volunteering that day, although I was informed that it wasn't unusual for a ton of staff and volunteers to show up on the major holidays, and knock everything out early so we could all relax.
The work day turned out to be a very productive one, even with my gross lack of sleep the night before, and my tendency to forget to eat while I'm there. (I'm used to a more structured setting where I was told to take a break at a specific time. Things at Sarvey are more relaxed, and I can pretty much break to eat whenever I need to within reason. Unfortunately I have a tendency to get wrapped up in things, and go the entire 6 hour shift without eating.) I ended up cleaning all of the Ed animal flights that day with the exception of Waskate the bald eagle and Scout, the grumpy raccoon. This meant I got to clean Freedom's flight for the first time, and finally got to meet our little celebrity. When I approached the flight she was right up front, and already interested. She didn't seem to mind my being there at all, which was about what I expected from her. She mostly just stood on the ground at the front of her flight, and watched me as I made my rounds. When it came time for me to clean the area she was in, she diligently ambled out of the way and made herself comfortable elsewhere. She's smaller then I thought she would be, but then again I'd probably feel differently with 12 lbs of bird hanging off my arm.
Other then Athena the great horned owl's usual antics, (Great horned owls can be very territorial birds, and she is no exception,) the day was fairly uneventful, though one of the Peregrines, Isda, decided to get curious about me and got right up in my face while I was in her mew. I also nearly had a squirrel get adventurous and try to escape on me, but other then that yeah, not so eventful.
I am sad to report though that Road Warrior, a bald eagle with a head injury that stayed with us for two weeks or so, had to be humanely euthanized. Last Thursday when I saw him he seemed to be making good progress, though he had some depth perception issues when he ate. I guess over the week there were just too many complications, and it was in his best interest let him go. I'm sad, I was rooting for him, even if I did know his chances weren't great.
Been focusing a lot more on birds recently with my budding interest in ornithology. This has been great for rekindling my interest in more artistic endeavors. Along with illustrations here and there I also started up a sketch journal, and have used it as an excuse to get into the nitty-gritty of Owl physiology. After I get the basics out of the way I plan to delve into the individual species common to the northwest, and develop some good general knowledge. My plan for the next few years actually involve pursuing a biology degree, and maybe doing my thesis on ornithology. I'd love to do bird-specific vet-work, but I realize that a general biology degree opens up more job opportunities then narrowing myself down into something so specialized. Honestly though, I'd probably be happy working at a Raptor center for minimum wage for the rest of my life. If going to school is what it will take, then that's what I'll do.
This was supposed to be a black winged kite, but somewhere a long the way I realized the pattern on it's wing didn't look quite right, and by that point it was too late to change it. Guess I'll have to take it into account for next time. It reminds me more of a Plumbeous kites markings to be honest.
I've also become especially fond of Northern Saw-whet owls, although for whatever reason, I don't find them nearly as interesting to draw or paint as Great Horned Owls. However, Saw-Whets, and Great Horneds have become pretty regular staples in my dreams. Generally I dream about Saw-whets more so, though I can't say I know why. I've gotten up close and personal with both species fairly regularly over the last month, even going to far as to tube a Saw-Whet on one occasion, but I also see a variety of other raptors regularly including Barred, Western screech, Short-eared, Snowy and Barn owls. Sarvey has a pretty diverse group of Ed birds. (Including two Peregrines, Three eagles, a red tail, a possum, a bobcat, a flying squirrel,an imprinted dear, and a particularly grouchy raccoon. It's definitely afforded me the opportunity to have a very enriching experience working there, even as a volunteer, and it has really got me worked up to the point where if I miss a day it puts me in a terrible mood, and everyone around me would probably suffer as a result.
A quick doodle of a Northern Saw-Whet Owl
I also took some recent, (although not particularly awesome,) pictures of Tadita our Barred owl, and Iya the Barn owl. Iya was especially difficult to get a picture of as she prefers to hide up in the rafters (She IS a barn owl after all,) and the light is quite diffused from my meager vantage point. It most likely also did not help that I was using my droid to the take the pictures, and as such the quality is usually terrible unless the lighting is perfect anyway.
Tadita the Barred Owl
Iya the barn owl
Iya is another favorite of mine, mainly because she has a lot of personality. She hates men for one. I don't know what it stems from, but according to the staff, they can't send men in to clean her flight as she has a tendency to dive bomb them. She aims for the head, or so I've heard. Barn owls don't hoot, so she generally has to let us know whats up through the use of other vocalizations. Trust me, Iya is definitely a talker. She twitters, and screeches just about every time she sees someone, and often when I'm in her flight she'll make a raspy sort of hissing sound, that I believe is a fairly typical call for them. Possibly territorial. She doesn't hiss, or snap her beak at me though, so I think I'm pretty well off with her. She tends to lose interest in my being in her flight eventually too and settles back down to sleep. At least someone is comfortable with me (I'm talking to you Athena.) I enjoy twittering at her, as I'll generally get a response, something I haven't been able to elicit in the other birds (nor have I necessarily tried.)
Brown Sicklebill, Female.
Common Kingfisher.
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