Raptors are by far the most amazing creatures the good Lord created. We went to a Wildlife Festival yesterday just outside of Atlanta, GA. We were able to get a really close look at a number of owls. We saw a Barn Owl, Barred Owl, an Eagle owl and even a few hawks.
This Screech Owl is missing an eye.
But the Eastern Screech Owl we saw is just in the cute category, only standing about 9 inches when it is full grown. You really want to just hold it in your hand, until you remember that the beak of this creature is designed for ripping and tearing, the talons are designed for puncturing and grasping onto things. Then the cute idea is replaced with the idea of pain.
My father experienced the pain of an owl once. I don’t remember all the details, but the way most of the story goes is that he was deer hunting and came upon an owl in a trap, must have went for an easy meal and got it’s foot caught in the trap. From what I remember of the story, my dad tried to free the owl and in return he ended up with the owl’s talons in his hand. Sadly my dad said that he had to shoot the owl with his pistol in order to keep the animal from tearing his hand off. The part I remember most is my dad telling me that he had to cut the owl’s leg off, because he couldn’t get the talons out with one hand. Thankfully he was able to get some help and medical attention soon after. What a story.
Thankfully we only experienced the beauty of the owls and other raptors this weekend. Junior really likes the raptors. Who knows he might get to volunteer to help with the rescue and rehab some time in the future.
Barred Owl
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