The Happy Ending

Several days after the rescue from the fireplace, we went to see "Timmy" at the wildlife center. He was clean and looked like a jailbird! The name Timmy seemed to fit: for those who remember Lassie, Timmy was always down in the well, needing a rescue. Those of you who watch South Park know the character Timmy, not the shiniest penny!

Timmy in jail, I mean at the spa!

Once we got a spiffy new cover on the fireplace, I don't think a hummingbird could get in now, it was time to bring our boy home! He was scheduled for his homecoming on Friday, but a couple of bobcat kittens (bobkittens?) needed more immediate attention and delayed his return until the next evening.

Saturday, around dusk, Nicole a volunteer from the Tucson Wildlife Center brought Timmy back. She told us how he had been clacking at her all the way across town and was a bit peeved from being caught in a net! She pulled the big box from the backseat of her car and we started learning more about the behavior of the great horned owl. They will eat carrion in the road and often get hit because they won't fly off! They are not nest builders. They prefer to appropriate a raven or red tailed hawk nest, rather than build their own! The great horned owl is an opportunist!

I wasn't sure it would be a good idea to use a flash to take pictures, but Nicole assured us he wouldn't get any pissier! So, I took a couple....

He really wanted Nicole!

Such a beautiful bird!

We had our photo moment and then Nicole released him. Timmy silently flew off to the east, no worse for his chimney and spa experience. His wingspan was nearly 5 feet! We haven't heard him in our neighborhood. It is possible he was intruding on another owl's territory the night he became trapped. Anyway, that's his story! I do hope to hear him again soon!

No Fiber, but Fun!

When its spring, the desert critters are in a frenzy. Doves coo nonstop, usually outside the bedroom window at 5:00 am! Lizards come out of their holes and the rodent population starts sharpening its teeth on everything. Of course, with prey comes predators. Our area has an abundant owl population, judging by the calls I hear at night. Great Horned, Screech and Barn. They are all represented.

The other night, after midnight, there were owl calls on our roof. I cheered, hoping they would eat the little rat bastards that are devouring my chiles. In the morning, my chiles had gotten the night off from being dinner and a strange noise was in the fireplace. I assumed the owls had scared a kangaroo rat down the hole. I like sharing the world with critters, but I have no sympathy for the rodents. They never share, just take! We heard claws scratching against the inside of the chimney. Oh joy. I sort of hoped it would find its way out, because I wasn't rescuing a rat!

Around 4 in the afternoon, he really got noisy. And sounded big. I made Dennis look. He discovered that the flue was open (for about 9 months!), and whom ever was inside wasn't coming out that way. Hmm. Probably not a rodent or lizard. Then I heard the greeting call of the Great Horned Owl. I went out to see if it was on the roof, because the sound was really close. I thought it odd that one would be out during daylight. I saw nothing. Back inside the fireplace visitor was acting antsy, and then Dennis and I heard the truth: an owl had fallen down the chimney. Dennis did a bit of climbing and got on the roof. When he looked down the fireplace, sure enough those beautiful gold eyes were staring back. Neither of us handle wild animals, and we had no idea what to do and who to call. We do have a very healthy respect for predators! The owl didn't seem stressed out, just stuck. You can't fly out of a small hole with a 5 foot wingspan! It was after 7:00 pm, so I sent an email to our property manager and knew that the following day would be interesting! 

And it was! The good people of Tucson Wildlife Center came out and rescued our guest from the fireplace. It was surprisingly undramatic! Lou Ray reached in, with heavy leather gloves, and wrangled him into a corner. She got him by the feet and carefully pulled him out through the flue. 

 Jane stood by at the ready! I think it took less than 15 minutes to get the guy out!

Lou Ray and our guest!

Hooty was very sooty, his natural brown colors were more on the black side! 

Hooty and the owl whisperer!

The big bird stayed quite calm; he started to spread his wings. Lou Ray calmed him. I imagine it felt good to stretch!

Love those eyes!

He was taken to their rehab center to be checked out and get a bath! Once the fireplace gets a mesh cover, he will be returned to the neighborhood!

And he's out of the house!

Now for the ride across town!

Prior to extricating our owl, these ladies had released javelina back into the desert north of here! This was quite the job, and show! I am glad there are competent people around to handle these matters!