Contributed by Lynn Mann from our June trip to All Things Wild
The Sun City Nature Club just did another successful trip to All Things Wild, led by Roger Rucker from All Things Wild and a member of the Nature Club Board.
The photos below were taken by members of our group taking the tour on September 27th, 2022.
First, the owls. Roger brought these owls out of their cages and held them so we could feel their feathers. The smaller owls, the screech owls, were very soft, almost like down. The larger owls are smooth, but not as fluffy. All of them are beautiful. Enjoy the striations on their feathers!
Contributed by Debra Peak.
Contributed by Debra Peak. This owl is being held by Roger Rucker. Notice the blue glove.
Contributed by Debra Peak. Again, notice the glove worn by Roger Rucker. Those talons are something, aren't they?
One interesting resident is the pelican, Boudreau. His wing was amputated, so he cannot fly. During the day he is allowed to wander around the property and at night he has a special pond inside his cage He is quite a rascal. According to the ATW caretakers, he has recently started to nip at people with his big beak. I personally think he is acting out because he wants to join his friends who are migrating to warmer climates for the winter.
We were lucky enough to see Boudreau enjoying his morning meal of small fish that are hand fed to him by the ATW caretakers.
Contributed by Barbara Luna. Barbara took his picture after he grabbed her arm. Notice, he is missing a wing.
Contributed by Debra Peak. Here he is resting peacefully. He is probably thinking about those fish he just ate.
And now for the moment you have been waiting for---a picture of a skunk.
Contributed by Debra Peak.
Not too many skunks at ATW today. The ATW staff told us baby skunks are grabbed up by the volunteers and staff and taken home as fast as they come in. They are very cute, but I will let you ponder if YOU want to cuddle a baby skunk in YOUR house.
Besides the rare skunk, we did see a group of young possums.
Contributed by Debra Peak.
And finally, we saw raccoons galore.
Contributed by Debra Peak.
Besides the raccoon pictured above, we had a rotund raccoon wandering around the interior of the All Things Wild building. Although these are not pets in the truest sense, this raccoon was wearing a harness, just like a dog or cat.
Outside, raccoons and the other animals are kept in cages so they can be accustomed to being outside. We saw one cage with what looked like at least a dozen young raccoons who are being acclimated prior to their release into the wild. They were snuggling each other in a mound of fur and eyes and raccoon paws that look like hands.
I am pretty sure these were the same baby raccoons we saw in June being hand fed by the All Things Wild staff and volunteers. It is wonderful to see they made it and will be released soon.
Speaking of releases, we learned the owl called Phoenix was recently released into the wild. Phoenix was burned when a methane vent flared up while he was sitting on it. Luckily for him, All Things Wild nursed him back to health and waited until he molted and had a new coat of feathers. Although we missed seeing him, this is a great success story of how All Things Wild is able to rehabilitate injured animals so they can be released when they are ready.
Authored by Nancy Wagoner
Photos contributed as noted
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