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.
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| Grabbing bird |
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Skyler |
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| Ella!! |
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| My Maddie girl :) |
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| Skyler kisses |
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| Old Sam man |
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| Horses!! |
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| 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.
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| Kimba and Kristin carrying birds to truck |
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| Loading the birds into the truck |
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Walking to release spot |
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| 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.
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| Opening the boxes |
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| Making sure that glove is on!! |
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| Waiting for Kristin |
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| Right before the release |
With excitement in our voices, we counted down.
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| 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.
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| And their off!! |
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| 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.
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| Bird release groupies |
