State 30 - New Jersey
The Raptor Trust - Millington, NJ
The Raptor Trust is a little special to me. It’s the first raptor rescue I visited a few years back, and it kicked off a lot of appreciation I have for these animals. Owls were always kinda cute and cool, but hawks seemed so vicious and vultures kinda creepy. But they’re just doing what they’re here to do. And they all have fantastic adaptations too get those jobs done. Vultures especially have some awesome adaptations (which to be fair, ARE kinda creepy) but they play such a crucial role in the ecosystem, and only they can do it.
Anyway, here’s the owl!
Taken from their Facebook
Reunited! This young Great Horned Owl was found on the ground in Bergen County and brought to us for care. The first thing we do when we get GHO’s is go back and look for momma! Indeed, she was in a nearby tree. Raptor Trust rehab manager Cathy Malok brought the youngster back where it had come from, climbed the 30 ft ladder as she has done so many times, and put the chick back in tree. Shortly thereafter, momma was spotted just a few yards away. Special thanks to our friend John Kennedy for the great photos.
My father used to work at a bird of prey rehabilitation center when I was young. Screech owls are the best
Screech Owls and Saw-whet Owls seem to be the most cuddle-able North American owls!
Ever since learning about Europe’s Tawny Owl, they look really big and fluffy and peaceful too, so I want to see one in person now pretty bad.
Baby, safely returned 30 ft up a tree
Baby
Mom’s keeping an eye on things
Does anyone else have an animal they’ve changed their view on over the years?