Moonblinked

Did you know there was a place in Vancouver that you could see owls, eagles and other birds of prey?

That place is O.W.L. and up until a month ago, I didn’t even know it existed. OWL is a non-profit organization specializing in the rehabilitation of birds of prey. The centre opens for visitors on the weekends, where one could see the 20 birds of prey that are permanent residents at the facility.

Sean and I have a soft spot for owls, especially snowy owls.

We checked into the main office when we went a few weeks ago and was met by the tour guide. Our first introduction was to a barn owl named Sarah, the only bird that lives inside the office. She was born and raised in captivity and can never be released into the wild. Although accustomed to people, we couldn’t get too close to her, I mean she still has “bird of prey” instincts.

Sarah the owl looking serious one moment and then like she’s heard a funny joke the next.

We headed out to the outside cages and began our walking tour, starting with a couple of bald eagles, Flash and Curly.

All of the birds at OWL are there for one injury or another: flying into high rise buildings or car windshields, being electrocuted by power lines, injured in a chicken coop or hit by a plane.

These birds could never be released back out in the wild because, although they survived their injuries, most of them can’t fly properly and would be easy pickings in the wild. And living their lives here means that they have regular food, encounter no enemies and live 2-3 times past their regular lifespan.

A pair of hawks called Ruby and Rusty greeted us next. One of the hawks flew about its cage, acting very territorial and had we entered its cage (which we’re not allowed to do), it would fly straight for our heads, talons at the ready.

Samson and Delilah.

Sean and I had a giggle at a couple of great grey owls called Samson and Delilah. Then we found out that they were there from car accidents. Samson had his wing amputated and Delilah lost sight in her right eye. That gave us the sads a little bit. But they’re still life long partners, so that’s a good thing.

We also saw a pair of barred owls called Demon and Daisy. Demon got his name because after hitting an office tower, he’s now has some balance issues and when upset, will fly at your head upside down.

Next we stopped by and met a pair of peregrine falcons, Ariel and Gunther. Then we got to our favourite…

Snowy owls!

Snowy owl Serenity

The snowy white owls who are male are named Piggy and Kermit, while the spotted female is called Serenity. And they the most vocal of all the birds at OWL. So cute! I was so wowed by them, that my subconscious mind blocked out the fact that there was a mouse carcass in the habitat with them. Correction. 2 mouse carcasses, one with its head ripped off. Right in front of them. I even caught it on camera but didn’t “see” it, while marvelling at the birds. Until sean pointed it out to me. Tunnel vision or what?!

Serenity and Kermit.

We saw turkey vultures and holy cow, are they ever ugly. Not only that, but they vomit their food AND projectile vomit when feeling threatened. And the smell is apparently HO-rrendous.

We barely saw blinkey and casper the great horned owls, as they were just chillin in the corner, on the floor of their cage. Due to their injuries, they also have ladders in their habitat as they have difficulties even flying up to their high perch.

Another pair we didn’t get to see was button and lacey the short eared owls. They hid themselves way in the back of the habitat and all I could make out were their shadows.

Shooting Big Daddy.

The last habitat of the tour belongs to this big ass bald eagle called Daddy. He’s recently arrived and looks to be playing nice with the golden eagle, whom he’s staying with. All i could think about when I looked at daddy was “American flag!”

But of course, we ended off the tour with another visit to the snowy owls. To listen to them “chat” and say goodbye. We even picked up a pair of snowy owl plush toys in the gift shop.

We ran into Flinger the roadside hawk, one of the birds who gets taken out on “field trips” to schools. We were lucky to run into him, as he resides in another section of OWL, where cages are off-limits to the public.

The tour guide had told us if we wanted to see some wild snowy owls, who are currently here for their winter migration, we just had to drive down the road to Boundary Bay, where tons of amateur/professional wildlife photographers set up camp to take pictures of the birds who come to roost.

Sean and I did spy 2 huge snowy owls, but unless you’re geared up in thigh high fly-fishing boots, you’re going to have a difficult time walking out onto the logs, rock and marsh. There was only one photographer who had made his way close, yet not so close to the birds to take their pictures. And he was even doing it with a telephoto lens. But imagine those pictures!

And out in the bay, we could see a black mass flying this way and that in the sky. We were witnessing a murmuration! Unfortunately, we were so far from the water that the flock of birds looked like horde of black flies. Still it was nice to see this amazing phenomena.

Speaking of which, don’t you just love that video of the girls who rowed out onto the lake and had a murmuration take place right over their heads? Absolutely stunning.