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#TBT: The Story, v.2.0

Posted on January 13, 2022January 13, 2022

This was first posted January 13, 2011.

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.”

eag1

Deluxe transport accommodations for one Cranky Bald Eagle.

eag2

Waiting in the trees… Snake’s mate (sorry, but I had to name him Bake) and possible yearling chick.

eag3

Unwrapping a super cool package… almost better than Christmas!

eag4

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.

eag5

Oh.

Uh.

Hiya, Snake.

Nice to meetchya.

eag6

Oh.

Pardon me.

Yes, ma’am.

It’s my pleasure.

eag7

Wow.Attitude.

eag8

And Snake is SHY as well.

eag9

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.

eag10

Uh, hey, it’s WORKING!

eag11

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…

eag12

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.

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4 thoughts on “#TBT: The Story, v.2.0”

  1. Jo Amy says:
    January 15, 2022 at 10:05 AM

    Lovely photos. Susan that IS Ironside Bird Rescue is an amazing lady and helps save and rehab SO many birds!

    Reply
  2. Joan Wood says:
    January 14, 2022 at 3:19 PM

    This was so cool!!! A very proud bird indeed.

    Looking forward to the video tomorrow.

    Reply
  3. Marilyn says:
    January 14, 2022 at 10:58 AM

    Yes, I DO remember this post, since my best friends are birders in Rochester, NY. and I “try” and take more of an interest in birds than I ever have. Great story, pics, and well-worth the re-post.

    Reply
  4. Joanne says:
    January 14, 2022 at 4:12 AM

    A great post. Although I had back-tracked your posts before I found you in 2014, I had not seen this one. A very lucky eagle that people are so caring.

    Reply

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Carol, Wyoming rancher

Since 2008, I’ve kept this photographic journal of life on a Wyoming ranch.  I share ranch work, my family, crafts and DIY, my English Shepherd, Bravo, and a love for this land.  Enjoy this red dirt country!

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