Look who is visiting my house (dial-up warning)

[CornField]

Today, while heading to the market, my daughter and I saw this creature moving around a house. It was like a cat that had been locked outside, trying to get back in. We knew immediately, however, that this was no cat.











Our curiosity got the better of us and we parked and went to investigate. It's one of Iowa's native Red-Tailed Hawks. Typically, humans would never be allowed so close, but this lady has an injured wing. We were able to entice her into a laundry basket and then place big plastic lid under it. Fortunately, she's taking it all in stride.

We got her locked down and then searched the area for a nest -- none. (Thank goodness as I was not looking forward to climbing a tree!) We've gotten in contact with the local birds of prey project and they are meeting us later this evening to take over her care. For the moment, however, I'm graced with the presence of one of the most majestic animals I've ever encountered.

[merwin]

1. Very cool!

[Kathleen04]

2. Very cool

:thumbsup:

[MuseRider]

3. Beautiful!

You are so lucky to have gotten that close! We have tons of them here and I have never been closer than maybe 10 feet. Watch the talons and that remaining wing, they can be quite strong(I used to work with Birds OF Prey at our Zoo). Thanks for saving her, she would have been difficult but she could have been prey. Lovely pictures.

[Benhurst]

4. Thanks for sharing. NT

[BrklynLiberal]

5. You are brave and lucky and kind hearted!!!

It was so wonderful of you to take the steps necessary to rescue this incredible creature!!!

Please keep us posted on her progress.

She is gorgeous.

[Ready4Change]

6. Stunning

Can't imagine she isn't in bad shape, to be taking the close presence of humans so in stride.

That, or shes some falconers bird which got loose?

Any way wishing for the best outcome for you all!

[CornField]

16. She wasn't tagged, but she is young

Fortunately, she hasn't made the human=evil leap yet.

[NoSheep]

7. I've known others who've had great

success rescuing large injured birds. Good luck and lucky you for getting such a close and sustained glance at her beauty.:)

[Sydnie]

8. Very beautiful bird!

Thanks for stopping to care for her. She is wondrous!

[Wapsie B]

9. The Eye of the Hawk.

What a majestic looking bird; in the same class as the bald eagle, IMHO.

[iconoclastic cat]

10. Wow! Any more pix?

[CornField]

17. No, I'm sorry.

I didn't bring the camera when we gave her to the Raptor project tonight.

[HEyHEY]

11. How did you get her into a laundry basket?

Without getting clawed up?

[CornField]

19. She really wasn't in a mood to fight

At least she wasn't in a mood to fight anymore. She was hungry and extremely thirsty. I have little doubt that she had been wondering about on foot, trying to protect herself. I put the laundry basket beside her (between her and I) and then inserted a big straw through one of the holes. I was holding my finger on the end of the straw and letting it drip out water. That was all the encouragement she needed. She hopped into the basket. While I gave her the water through the straw, a friend placed a large lid over the bottom of the basket. We slowly turned it and then taped the basket to the lid.

I'm sure it wasn't the prettiest thing the raptor people had ever seen, but they all complimented me on the ingenuity. LOL!

For as long as I can remember, I've had a unique relationship with wild birds. That is, they don't seem to find me as frightening as they do others. The hawk took at least five straws full of water from me. Instead of cowering against the back of the basket, she was right up against my side, sticking her beak out and kinda cooing-squawking at me to hurry up. :)

[Catherine Vincent]

12. Wowee!

[texas1928]

13. When I was a kid, my dad caught a Great horned owl.

It had injured it's wing. It was not upset that it was caught, but it was neat watching it turn it's head to follow movement. We called the Game warden and he got a hold of the vets at Texas A&M and they came and got the bird and healed it up and turned it lose. That was an awesome sight.

[ikojo]

14. Wow! Impressive...she is beautiful!

Kudos to you for taking her in and seeing that she gets good care.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

15. Wow, cornfield! Wonderful pics....

and kudos to you for rescuing her! What a magnificent bird...I love all the raptors...Magnificent pictures.

Thank you for rescuing her and for posting these wonderful pics!

:yourock:

[Robeson]

18. Good For YOU!!!!!......

All I can say is BRAVO! You have saved a life. That is work well done....:woohoo: :bounce: :applause: :applause:

[BikeWriter]

20. That was a super lesson for your child, too! :-)

[CornField]

21. The Hawk is now with wonderful people (Update)

We drove the hawk out to the local community college campus and met one of the members of the Macbride Raptor Project at their clinic. I know she is in good hands & I feel extremely blessed to have had the pleasure of being around her for several hours. It is an experience our entire family will not soon forget.

According to the lady with the Raptor Project, she is a young hawk and will most likely fully recover. Her full recovery depends on where the wing is injured and what type of injury it is. She took my contact information and has promised to keep me updated on the hawk's progress.

Our family has agreed to take the money out of our family tax jar and adopt the hawk. For more information about the Macbride Raptor Project: http://www.macbrideraptorproject.org/