The Calm Among the Storm

There are few words to describe these past two weeks. Reflecting on them has filled my body to the brim with so many emotions. As I sit here typing and listening to country music, a feeling of satisfaction and awe flow over me. I have had some once in a lifetime adventures these past fourteen days and I cherish everyone of them.

On June 25, Kimba D’Amico, the animal care specialist, and I left the center in the white Expedition to release a Red-Tailed Hawk. The drive to the release site off of highway 78 was the longest fifteen minute drive in my life. The hawk was flapping around in its transport box. He knew that he was heading home.  As we drove through the beautiful country just outside of Ramona, I began to reflect on the role I played in this bird’s rehabilitation. As an intern at FFAWC, I had invested time into this magnificent bird by giving him his food and cleaning his enclosure every day.  We finally arrived at the release site, and I was about to reap the benefits of all my work. It was a grassy pasture surrounded by hills.

Grabbing bird

Before release

As we climbed out of the car Kimba asked, “Are you ready”? Unintentionally I answered, “Yes”, but I was not prepared for what I was about to witness. I snatched a few photos on my camera while Kim prepared to remove the bird from the box. The bird gave her quite a fight, but she eventually had the bird in her glove covered hands. I positioned my camera in just the right position to snap that perfect photo. We counted down: one …two…three. I took a photo, but had no idea what I had just captured.  When that magnificent bird left Kim’s grasp, he did not waste any time. He put on the most spectacular show I have ever seen.  He showed us all the aerial tricks he had up his wings.  I just stood there speechless and in awe of his performance. I thought I was ready to see a bird fly away, but I never knew that it would be filled with so much emotion.  Kim and I stood there for what seemed like eternity, and watched him disappear over the horizon.

Freedom!!

This moment is one that is forever etched into my mind. I will never forget what it was like to watch that bird fly to freedom. For both my mentor and I, this was a special bonding time. We both were overwhelemed with an indescribable emotion. I was able to see for the first time Kimba's passion for animals in action. It was so infectious and has ignited a new fire inside of me. I am so thankful everyday that I get the chance to work side by side with this incredible women.

That weekend, I got the chance to housesit for a volunteer who was on vacation. Kimba had asked me earlier in the week if I could stay at the house while she attended a wedding, Of course I said yes. I arrived early Friday evening to this little osasis. It was a quaint two-story house on a beautiful piece of property. I was greeted by 6 gorgeous dogs at the front door, ranging from a Chihuahua to a Great Dane. I soon discovered that there were also four horses and twenty-five chickens. Best of all there was a pool.

L to R: Ella, Sam, and Maddie

When it is 90+ degrees outside a pool is a luxury. I spent Friday night and all day Saturday there. This place became my oasis from the chaos of the center. I found myself driving over after I was done with work that nest week. It was extremely quite outside whenever I was there.

Skyler

Ella!!

My Maddie girl :)

Skyler kisses

Old Sam man

Horses!!

Shasta Girl

It felt like the calm spot among the storm. I was able to become rejuvenated with energy that I was considerably lacking.


I got the chance to go again on another bird release last Tuesday with Kristin, an intern, and Kimba. We were releasing to Red-Shouldered Hawks. The release site was only about five minutes from the center.

Kimba and Kristin carrying birds to truck

Loading the birds into the truck

Release selfie

This was Kristin's first release, so I was pretty excited to share this experience with her. We arrived at an avocado orchard and were greeted by the property owners.They showed us where they found the two birds.

Going to see where they found the birds

 We talked for a while, and then we made our way down the road. We stopped just above the orchard. It was a magnificent view.

Walking to release spot

Close up of shirts

Kristin and I each grabbed a bird. It took us a while to have them in the right position, but we eventually got it.

Opening the boxes

Making sure that glove is on!!

Waiting for Kristin

Right before the release

With excitement in our voices, we counted down.

The countdown

We threw the birds into the air and they took off flying. Kristin's face was a sight to see. She was filled with that indescribable emotion.

And their off!!

Two satisfied interns

We grabbed our equipment and headed back to the truck. Before we left, we got a group photo. It was awesome to share this experience yet again with these ladies.

Bird release groupies

The Beauty of an Adventurous Heart

All I can say about this past week is that it has been incredible. To start off, I decided on my project that I will be working on during the rest of my stay. I will be updating the Emergency Preparedness Manual. I will have a staff member who will mentor me on the project. My mentor's name is Kimba. She is the Animal Care Specialist here at the center. She is an awesome person who has an incredible passion not only for animals, but also the safety of the staff and volunteers and the center. We have our first meeting tomorrow and I am so excited to begin working on this manual.

Last Monday, was one of the interns last night at the center. So we had to go on a crazy adventure. We decided that the best thing to do would be a night hike up to Potato Chip Rock. Kimba and another staff member named William joined us. We all met at the main office and caravaned to the trail head. It was still light on the walk up. We reached the top in about an hour and got to watch the sunset. It was so beautiful and magnificent. We took photos on the rock and ate chocolate kisses. The walk down was in the dark, but we were prepared with head lamps and flashlights. It was a great time of bonding and laughter.

The view

Cali sunset

sunset selfie

beautiful

Caitlin and I

Jump shot

The next day, I went on a field trip to a bird sanctuary with three other interns and Kimba. We learned how to properly handle large raptors. We handled a Great Horned Owl, who was actually quite feisty and like to have a raptor glove in its mouth. Holding the owl in my hand, I realized how heavy they are and the strength it take for them to fly. Kimba showed us various ways to properly handle and how to avoid getting injured.

Kimba  (blonde) instructing
Alicia how to properly handle

Kimba passing the owl to me

The owl wouldnt let go of the brown glove

Successful handling

That evening, we drove Caitlin down to San Diego to her hotel. We had dinner at a nice restaurant and filled our bellies. We said our goodbyes to Caitlin and head back to the center.

The group!!
(Left):Caitlin and Vanessa
(Right): Alicia, Rachel, and Emily

Downtown San Diego

Night Life

On Friday, I went to the Wild Animal Safari Park with two other interns. It is like a regular only there is a safari you can go on. You get to go on a tram and see various wildlife species together like you would in the wild. On the safari we saw giraffes, rhinos, gazelle, wildebeests, zebras, and other African species.
After the safari we went and looked at the other exhibits. We saw tigers, bats, elephants, lemurs, and other species. We got a rare experience. We got to see a cheetah run at full speed. The park has a 100m straight grass track that the cheetah runs. It chases a toy on a lure, and gets a big bowl of meat after running. The cat ran so fast, and you could hear its feet pounding on the track.

comparing how big I am to a Gorilla

On the safari tram
(front to back): Me, Rachel, and Emily

wildebeest

Baby rhino and its mom

Baby Giraffe

Baby Rhino nursisng

Its a Caracal!!

Playtime

Jumping

Sleepy Lion

Elephant spraying water

I am taking the photo behind glass

This morning, Rachel and I went on a sunrise hike up to Potato Chip Rock. We left the intern house at 4:15am. We arrived at the trail head at 4:30am. It was dark when we started out and we used a flashlight for the first half of the hike. We started down in the valley and there was some good cloud cover. As we made our way up Mount Woodson we rose above the clouds and there was a clear sky. We eventually didnt need the flashlight. We made it to the top in 45mins. We sat on Potato Chip Rock alone and watched the sunrise. It was breath taking and one of the best moments i have has so far.

The start of the hike

Getting lighter

We made it!!

Sun is waking up

Sea of clouds

Painted sky

The sun is coming

Almost there

Good Morning!!

Later in the afternoon, Rachel and I went to La Jolla Cove. La Jolla Cove is a scuba diver and snorkelers heaven. We made the 50min drive from the center, and got to the cove just after noon. We lathered on sunscreen and made a dash for the water. The first initial touch of the water was so cold, but once I dove in it was quite warm. Rachel and I did some snorkeling and got the chance to do something amazing! We swam with Sea Lions. It was incredible to watch them dart under the water like torpedoes. Sometimes they would stop five feet below us and stare. I wonder what they were thinking. It was an incredible experience watching these animals in their natural habitat. They were free. Free to do what the wanted. Free to come and go. It is something I will never forget. On the way home, we stopped at In-N- Out Burger. The food was so good.

La Jolla Cove

Popular beach

Soaking up the sun!

The Ocean

Ocean Selfie

Beautiful day

First time at In-N-Out

This past week was filled with many adventures. Through these experiences I have discovered the beauty in having a heart for adventure. That beauty shall continue to grow.