Birds, birds and a squirrel at Greenwood

Cedar Waxwing

Mid-winter is an interesting time at Greenwood.  While there are fewer animals needing assistance, staff and volunteers are still required to help the animals around the clock.  Not everyone can take a holiday and come back in the spring!  While many volunteers do cut back on their volunteer hours, winter is a regenerating time at Greenwood and the atmosphere is relaxed.  On my latest visit, the majority of the patients at Greenwood were birds.  I was lucky to be able to photograph a Cedar Waxwing, a Canada Goose and its smaller cousin, the Cackling Goose.  I wanted to get a picture of the Northern Flicker but because he was in a black netted enclosure I  needed him to fly into a sunny (lower) spot and he didn't want to do that while I was around!  He came to Greenwood after getting stuck in a window well.  He was a healthy eater, though, and reportedly ate 75 meal worms at the last feeding!  I also saw a Blue Jay but he was a bit too stressed for me to photograph him.  I heard about a squirrel that was also at Greenwood but he/she was in ICU so I didn't want to bother him/her.  Rehabilitating  animals at Greenwood involves practicing the delicate balance of caring for the animals (even though it can be stressful on them) and giving them a peaceful space and environment that they need to recover naturally.  At Greenwood, staff and volunteers go to great lengths to create a minimally stressful environment so that animals have the best opportunity for recovery and a second chance at independence. (Click on images below to enlarge).

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