The Story
Last week, a friend told me a story...
They live alongside a small creek dotted with stately cottonwood trees. In the wintertime, it's not unusual to see a bald eagle perched among the bare branches. Sliding along their long snowy driveway, they noticed a bald eagle on the ground, perhaps it had a rabbit or other prey, but it wasn't moving. Stopping the pickup didn't frighten the eagle. Walking towards it didn't frighten it.
Living in the country you know one thing causes bizarre animal behavior... illness of some kind.
In the words of my friend, "I thought the eagle was toast."
People forget that most wildlife live long lives... and the end comes for us all. As ranchers, we're not out here to wipe wildlife off the face of the earth in favor of cattle, no matter what some radical groups would have you believe. We try to let Nature take Her course... nevertheless, it *was* a bald eagle... and a call was made to the local game warden.
The game warden arrived in short order. He, too, thought the eagle was dead, but an eye blinked at him. The eagle was standing... but frozen in place. Literally. The game warden, gloved and protected from the sick bird by a drape, broke it loose from the ground, it's taloned claws and feathers stiff and stuck in the snow.
Placing it gently in a donated dog crate, he thought the chances were slim for survival, but he'd turn it over to the "local" bird rescue in Cody.
That was almost a week ago... and now "Snake" was coming home.
"Snake" had an attitude problem. She, yes, *she*... hissed constantly. She was not a happy camper at the bird rescue.
Originally, they thought her problem might have been lead poisoning since one symptom is the curling up of the claws. Snake had to undergo 6 shots per day for four days... and that didn't help her aura. The blood test later came back negative. Snake probably had been just a little low on groceries when the cold weather hit, froze the creeks back up, and it sent her into hypothermia.
Now she was thawed back out and returning to her home, Bad Attitude and all.
That's where I got to come in... the "unofficial photographer of the Upper Nowood."
Deluxe transport accommodations for one Cranky Bald Eagle.
Waiting in the trees... Snake's mate (sorry, but I had to name him Bake) and possible yearling chick.
Unwrapping a super cool package... almost better than Christmas!
Cameras ready...
Mine was not... I wanted to take TONS of photos and I hadn't even broken out my BIG camera yet... wait, oh, wait.
Oh.
Oh.
Uh.
Hiya, Snake.
Nice to meetchya.
Oh.
Pardon me.
Yes, ma'am.
It's my pleasure.
Wow.
Attitude.
And Snake is SHY as well.
Note to self: When you need to have an eagle leave a dog crate, you tip the front of the crate UP not the back... just in case I ever have to do this on my own...
But my suggestion...
Leave it to the Professionals.
I'll just take pictures.
Uh, hey, it's WORKING!
This is my favorite photo...
Just a split second later, Snake was OUT and FLYING and I quickly switched to video... Which I shall post tomorrow!
She flew to join her family...
And hopefully... Snake and Bake and Chick will live many more years...
And I helped! <name that commercial!>
For more pictures of Snake visit Ironside Bird Rescue out of Cody. Thanks to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Thanks to my friends.
****
I'd like to put out a special link and appeal for our friends in Australia. I can't cover it fully now... but please check out my friend's blog... and help if you can.
****
January 13, 2010 No entry.
January 13, 2009 Playing in the Snow
shake n bake of course...unless you were referring to talladega nights =o)
Reply to this
I cant wait for the video! Thank you so much for the great pictures and stories of life in Wyoming every day. Wish I were there. and thanks for the link to Ironside...as a backyard birder, it was enlightening.
Reply to this
Beautiful creature. I miss seeing those. We don't have a lot of them out here in the Raleigh NC area. When I would be with my grandmother in the summer in Big Horn I remember them. So majestic.
Reply to this
Now that was exciting. I've seen some at our ranch. Makes you stop, stare, and take a moment to feel your heart beat.
Reply to this
What a great story! As a volunteer at a local wildlife rehab facility here in Tucson, I am very interested in these sorts of stories. Thanks for the link to the Ironside Bird Rescue - I am definitely checking it out, and thanks for the story.
Reply to this
Hi Linda D.
I don't know how close Tucson is to Phoenix but if you go to the Phoenix Zoo you'll see one of my golden eagles. Thanks for the good words. Turning them loose is what makes it all worthwhile.
Reply to this
What a wonderful story. As a volunteer at a wildlife rehab facility, I have had the privilege of working with various raptors, including eagles. They are truly magnificent birds.
Reply to this
This story was so heartwarming! So amazing, too!
I hope the news media was able to cover it.
And Sandy beat me to it: "Shake and Bake" with a southern accent, of course.
Reply to this
"Stately" cottonwood trees? Huh ... the ones I'm familiar with in Arkansas are all overgrown shrubs. Do they get tall in Wyoming?
Reply to this
but did you get a feather?!!
Reply to this
Oh dear, it's very much against the law for anyone to possess any part of a protected species, especially eagles with the exception of permitted educational facilities and tribal members. Even they have to either prove they are very old and handed down to them from relatives or have a permit from the USFWS for any new ones they want to use in their Powwow costumes.
Reply to this
Oh Carol! You made my day! I saw a bunch perched in the trees on the way to my Mom's on I4 in FL at Christmas and I once saw one on a deer alongside the road in N WI - but as has been said - there aren't many in Raleigh.
Snake n Bake. Heee.
Reply to this
Thanks so much for the shout out Carol... and I adore your eagles. We have Wedge Tail Eagles in Oz who are utterly majestic too.
BB
Reply to this
Wow~ small world.. this it what happens when you surf the internet on a Sunday..
I came across your site by a photo a friend of mine posted on FB.. I live in Clark and have close friends in your red dirt world across the valley
and this post.. well Susan "the bird lady" in a friend of mine and I am a subpermittee for Ironside bird rescue.. I didn't get to meet snake, but I heard stories about his crankiness and saw photos.. amazing how the internet makes out small world even smaller.
Reply to this
I found your side when following Daily Coyote and Shreve's input. I actually enjoy you point's of view, images and life in general. Certainly Shreve's sites have a different look and feel. I do think that you are on the right track, especially your images of life.
Dang if you dogs don't look like Aussies
Which we raise. No way to really send images from my ranch but those dogs of your look a lot like mine.
Keep up the site you'll catch on. Certainly yours and Shreve's sites are an acquired taste and will attract like minded folk.
Tony
Reply to this