This year has been unusually cool and rainy in Boulder, and there's nothing more inviting than getting to visit Greenwood on one of those dreary days.  On my latest visit, the babies warmed my heart.  Do they get any cuter?  This baby raccoon made me melt with his "got milk" face.  I'm sure cuteness is an evolutionary trait since parents have to work so hard to feed and care for their babies!  This youngster got a good face washing right after this picture!
    In addition to the raccoon babies, there were songbirds at Greenwood!  Below you can see a picture of a still-hungry baby House Finch proudly displaying berry juice all over him/herself!  It isn't just baby humans who make a mess when they eat!   Below are pictures of Common Grackle babies, a couple of European Starlings, a Western Meadowlark, a young American Robin and even a Yellow-billed Cuckoo!
     Thank heavens for all the Greenwood staff and volunteers who take the time from their busy days to step inside of the Greenwood oasis and care for all the animals in need.  Soon these babies will join the young  squirrels in outdoor enclosures and eventually to the freedom they deserve.  'Til next time!

There is no doubt about it now, the baby season is here and in full swing at Greenwood .  There are now three volunteer shifts a day and even a new sign by the highway! On my latest visit to Greenwood I was able to photograph the first raccoons of the season.  The young ones are so cute!  At the time I visited, they were pretty sleepy but they sure can wake up in a hurry.  Ah, to be a kid again.
     Next up were the birds.  There were already more than 60 ducklings living at the Center!  Each family was housed in a nesting box and in order to not stress them out, I took only a few pictures of the bravest one.  There weren't a lot of baby songbirds yet, although I did get a picture of a cute baby House Finch.  I also got a cool picture of a Common Poorwill.  When looking up information about this bird species, I learned that it is one of the few birds that goes into a hibernation-like state called "torpor" during the winter months.  This one was definitely awake and was more than happy to open its mouth for a picture. 
    As mentioned in a previous blog post, rabbits are difficult to rehabilitate in general, but on this day Greenwood had one that was receiving medication.  Rabbits are housed far away from the commotion of the Center and, after some negotiation, I was able to take a quick picture of it.
    Last but not least was the fox!  I haven't seen a wild fox yet this year and was glad to see that this one was getting a second chance.  Apparently she had gotten her foot caught in an illegal leg-hold trap.  While she wasn't pleased by our presence, she was a healthy eater and I'm hoping that she heals quickly and returns home.  Thank you, Greenwood, for caring for all these animals!