Arctic Thunder 2008

As usual, Arctic Thunder 2008 was the event of the season. Wynnona Judd performed a free concert saluting our military on Friday. Saturday and Sunday was full of air shows by the Thunderbirds and others and all kinds of events. And yes, Bird TLC was there also. The crowd was estimated at 175,000. That's half the population of Anchorage and 1/4 the population of the whole state.

The crowd was fantastic. From the kids to the big kids we were asked all kinds of questions and had a zillion pictures taken. We got plenty of PR coverage for sure.

I like it when a Bald Eagle or a Snowy Owl draws more attention then an old F16, F22 or F15. But then, I know why they do.

Thanks for the people at Elmendorf AFB for having us. The hospitality was top notch as usual.

Ghost would like to thank Corey for taking the first 2 pictures.

One out, one in

BE 08-42 was released today at Bird Point. He was ready to go even though he was only with us about 2 months. He ate something toxic and it had him down, but he's back to full bald eagle status now.

Ruth and I picked up BE 08-62 from Soldovia, AK tonight at the airport. More of an update on her later.

Check out the TLC property

From a dump to a nice place to have an event. Cindy and Greg put together a plan and now our piece of property formerly known as "The Rabbit Hutch" is a very attractive piece.

Greg got Chuck from Chucks Backhoe to level the property, place jersey barriers all around the road right aways, had the lot hydro seeded and used recycled asphalt for the parking area. Now the property is secure from derelict vehicles and people using it a a dump.

The Grand Opening of Potter Marsh is on July 26th and people won't see the TLC property as the eyesore of the neighborhood.

Our first event there will be an early Bye-Bye Birdie. In August, we will be celebrating our 20th anniversary and we'll be spreading One Wing's ashes around the property.

We will have Alaskan Native drummers and dancers helping us to send One Wings spirit to the skies and he'll always be a part of The Bird TLC property. The Alaska Zoo will be bring their Education Birds to be presented along with ours. U.S.F.&W. and A.D.F.&G. will be participating also. We are inviting all Bird TLC supporters, past and present.

It's exciting seeing things finally moving along with the property. Thanks Cindy, Greg and Chuck. It's a beautiful job well done.

That's Chuck in his office.


Check out more of my pictures. Click on the link below.

2008-06-20

We've become Foster Baby Bird Mom & Dad

That's just on the weekends. We're on the call list at Pet Emergency Treatment. Every year PET takes in dozens of baby birds that have been orphaned in many different ways. There's no cost to the finder or TLC. You can even donate to TLC at PET when you drop the birds off. They are wonderful folks.

They call us on the weekends. We pick the birds up at PET and then we take them into the day crew at Bird TLC. When we get there, we fix the birds a nest, get them fed and then we find them a permanent Baby Bird Mom or Dad.

If it's later in the day, we take them home and Ruth care takes them until the next day. On Fathers Day my son Ryan and his girlfriend Eryn took us out to dinner. The birds went with us. They stayed in the truck and Ruth went out every 45 minutes to feed them.

So far for the past 2 weekends, we've picked up 14 ducks, 1 goose, 6 chickadees, 2 juncos, 2 robins and 3 seagulls.

An eagle among eagles

The weather was fantastic this afternoon and we were in the company of some awesome people. We were invited to do an eagle release on Elmendorf AFB (EAFB) during an appreciation picnic for their people. We couldn't ask for a better setting. What a great crowd.

Our eagle had been with us a long time. It came to TLC with a fractured left wing. After rehabilitation it showed no interest in flying. That happens sometimes, but if you look at these pictures I think it changed its mind.

We have several volunteers at TLC that come from EAFB. They have had the chance to interact with this bird while it was in rehab. Today they got to say goodbye and goodbye it went. He did a great fly by of the crowd and headed south.

These pictures are compliments of our newest volunteer. Actually she's a returning volunteer and we're glad to have her back. Great shots Britt!

PHOTO CREDIT: Britt Coon / Bird TLC

Osprey

An Osprey was sent to Bird TLC last night from Aniak, Alaska which is about 320 air miles from Anchorage. It had accidentally amputated its left wing at the elbow. We don't know how. The amputation was cleaned up by Dr. Palmatier.

Talking with Cindy today she tells me that they are hard to get to eat in captivity. If we can beat that issue we'll have a fine education bird for someone.

Ospery are one of the largest birds of prey in North America, the Osprey eats almost exclusively fish. It is one of the most widespread birds in the world, found on all continents except Antarctica.

It wasn't up to giving me a good picture. Maybe in a day or two it will perch and I can get some better shots.

Baby Bird Season has struck

What a crazy day it's been. I got a call from Pet Emergency (24 hour vet hospital) that they had 5 baby robins and a duck. I went and picked them up and brought them back to TLC to feed and then find Baby Bird Mom's. I got them bedded down and Mia showed up after a presentation she did, so I drafted her to help out.

Ruth called and I told her what was going on, so she decided to come help out also. Then Pet ER called again. They had another duck and there were some other birds coming in. I called Ruth back and had her swing by Pet ER to pick them up. The duck was there, but the others hadn't shown yet. So we decided to go out to dinner.

As we were waiting for our dinner to be served, Pet ER called saying the other birds had finally shown up. We decided to take these guys home for the night so went and picked up some supplies from TLC. When we got to Pet ER, we discovered they were 8 Tree Swallows.

Tomorrow we'll take them into TLC and find them a Baby Bird Mom to raise them. Right now it's the easy life, eat and sleep.