Releasing a Bald Eagle back into the Wild on 2.2.22

My friend Kathy rescued an injured Bald Eagle on her friend's property and delivered the female eagle to Rowena Wildlife Clinic. Two weeks later, on 2.2.22, Robin picked the eagle up from Rowena and brought her back to her territory, to this property where she was originally found. It was an amazing privilege to witness the release. I wish you all could see Robin's incredible photos of the eagle at the clinic; & Kathy's photos of the original rescue. If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to Rowena Wildlife Clinic, they are nonprofit and depend on donations to support all the wildlife they take in.

Kathy and Robin discussing strategy before removing the eagle in her carrier from Robin’s truck.

Slowly opening the latch on the carrier before the cover is removed.

The eagle kicked open the door and maneuvered her way out of the carrier.

She immediately took flight as soon as her talons touched the grassy field.

In two seconds she was out of the carrier and halfway across the field.

A nearby conifer forest was her destination.

Approximately 3 seconds from release to her landing comfortably on a fir branch. Thanks to Kathy for rescuing her and Rowena Wildlife Clinic for tending her injuries, she is back with her mate in the Columbia River Gorge.

Life can be so fragile for our wild creatures, an injured wrist can mean starvation and death. In this instance however, she will go through at least another season. I’m grateful to all those involved and I’m thrilled to have witnessed the release.

To Blog or not to Blog....

My schedule is always packed with projects and volunteer commitments leaving little room for spontaneity, yet when something special comes up I manage to rearrange previous plans. I kept a blog on Wordpress for a few years until I simply ran out of time to continue. I’d rather be in the field taking photographs than sitting at my computer keeping a blog; and as is often the case, even adding my newest images for your perusal on this website. They’ll get here eventually, just probably not today.

‘Ferocious’ pika yawning and stretching on talus.

This image is one of my favorite pika shots. I was quietly sitting and watching this little pika running back and forth across the talus, popping in & out of crevice openings. He stopped to sun himself fairly close to me, then groomed and sunned again. Finally, he stretched and yawned, then fell asleep right in front of me. I jokingly call him my ‘ferocious’ pika, because he looks like he’s roaring!

I’m typically on a trail or back road Monday through Thursday. I co-own a gallery in Hood River (Made in the Gorge) that I manage on Fridays. Saturday & Sunday are generally crowded in the Gorge, so those are my days to ‘catch up’. All this to say I’m adding a blog here on my website, to test the waters and see if I can keep up with it.

I’m thinking at this point, the blog will be simple with a ‘photo of the day’ or two or three….not a detailed journal. Primarily birds and wildlife of the Columbia River Gorge since that’s my passion. I might repost something from my old blog from time to time for interest, to share a glimpse of history.

Pika sleeping in habitat.