Son of a Bitch! I hate nature sometimes

[Maestro]

As some of you know, my wife and I have been rehabilitating a cottontail. We were a little scared about getting it some probiotics for the tummy but we seemed to have solved that with some of the human form. Here is the original thread. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x3811104

At the end of the thread I was freaked out because an owl swooped in and stood about 20 feet from us. Well, tonight we were out giving the bunny some exercise in the grass in our backyard. We live in the country. I was right on top of the bunny, very aware of that the owl may be nearby. I stood up and within a milisecond, I swear, I felt a bit of air wisp by my leg and I heard a whoosh. I saw the owl pick up our bunny and fly away. I was stunned. My kids and wife are crying and I feel so empty yet again. Dammit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dammit!!!!!!!!!!!! We were really bonding with the little guy. Dammit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Those damn owls are incredible hunters with excellent eyesight. My God, I know it is nature but it hurts. I am sick of death in my family!

[In_The_Wind]

1. I'm sorry Maestro

[driver8]

2. Oh wow, Maestro...I am so sorry. Poor little bunny...

I know that is how nature works, but it still sucks.

Poor little guy.

[MuseRider]

3. Good grief!

That just really sucks. I am so sorry, it is so easy to get really attached isn't it? I am attached to my barn toad and if something gets it I will actually cry.

Well, just think. You gave the little guy a chance he would not have had otherwise and there simply is just nothing you could have done to prevent this. Amazing that the owl would come that close to you.

:hug: for trying to save the bunny

:hug: for your family

:hug: for your grief

[Kathleen04]

4. Oh no, I am so sorry

:(

[WCGreen]

5. tears........

[kurtyboy]

6. Sorry for the loss you feel.

Nature is totally cool about it though. Even if you'd raised the bunny to adult status, or even if it had never seen a human at all, it's liklihood of being coyote chow was high. This is why rabbits have adapted the high fertility rate----

I think you're damned lucky to have witnessed this event--It is nature at its most spectacular. I love owls as much or more than bunnies, and they gotta find their dinner just like the rest of us....I envy the location you live in.

By all means, get out and find a wildlife rehabilitation center near you--you'll be amazed and astounded by the work they do. (I just saw a demonstration today by a raptor rehab outfit---owls, falcons, hawks and the most amazing eagles--the Golden took my breath away)

[Maestro]

8. I totally understand.

I am amazed and don't hold it against the owl. He is doing what he is programmed to do. And to come so close to humans, it must have been extremely hungry. It also must have had a good memory. It was dusk and just had turned dark. The owl can call it an early night. It just hurts because my family had bonded with it and now they are crying. It is hard to explain to a five year old what happened but she understand that "Cutie" is not coming back. My three old is just walking around saying, "Where is Cutie?" "What happened" "Stupid owl" It's just hard. That's all. I hold nothing against the owl. It's nature but it hurts.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

7. Oh no!!

I'm so sad!

[barb162]

9. I am really sorry

and so surprised the owl dared to get so close to you. That's hard to believe although of course I believe you.

There are owls and hawks around here and they go after the birds when they are near my bird feeder. But the birds have learned to immidiately fly into this sturdy little tree I have right next to the feeder if they spot a hawk. Also the baby bunnies hide under my thickly planted hosta and other plants in my garden all the time. Now I know why the bunny babies hide so much...they are totally defenseless against the large birds. I am so darned sorry...I'd be crying my eyes out too. I don't know what to say other than you tried very, very hard with that little baby and that is so good of you.

[Floogeldy]

10. You t hought the owl wouldn't go for the bunny if you were there.

Seems logical.

But mother nature finds a way. We are but mere humans. Owls, on the other hand . . .

:)

[Maestro]

11. As close as I was to the bunny, yes!

The owl might have well just taken the bunny from my hand. I think it was a bit brazen. The owl went down by a dog and three humans splicing a way through us picking up something just inches long about a foot at most from me.

[Dastard Stepchild]

12. That's really sad...

But it was wonderful of your family to have worked as hard as all of you have to help the little bunny out. You did good. Real good.

[Maestro]

13. Thank you.

It is amazing how fast you get attached. I guess it was because we took it when it was just days old, approximately five after describing it to a rehabber. It had just completely opened its eyes in the past two days and its little ears were perking up. I'm going to miss it even though it was with us such a short time.

[Dastard Stepchild]

15. I hear you... I do...

Once when I was on the way to a job interview, I saw a bunch of people standing around a little baby pigeon that had obviously fallen from its nest on a Chicago skyscraper. I went into the nearest store and got a little box to put it in to protect it from the elements. Then I put a sign up that said "Live Pigeon in Box - Help on the way. Please Do Not Remove." I called my guy and had him start driving down to the city (we were in the burbs at the time). I went to my interview, which was mercifully short, then returned to the spot and picked up the little pigeon and brought it back to the burbs. We were able to find a wildlife rehabilitator that evening to take the little pigeon in and care for it. I kept in touch for a little while, but always wondered what became of my little pigeon.

[AlienGirl]

14. That's sad :-(

I feel bad for you. :hug: It's nature, but it's tough when it happens to *your* baby critter.

Tucker

[DawgHouse]

16. How sad!

Neighbors of ours had their pet bird swept away by a hawk that was in the area. Yes, nature can be cruel.

[Maestro]

17. I was thinking that if had a kitten or any other small animal

it would be in danger as well. I think the owl lives in a group of trees just off my property.

[DawgHouse]

18. Yes, other small animals would definitely be in danger.

The hawk that took the bird in our neighborhood was seen around for quite a while. I used to live in the country and we had an owl that would come at the same time of year and stay for a couple of months. Not sure if it was always the same owl because I'm not an owl expert. But I could see him all the time, swooping down and picking up mice from the field. Fascinating to watch and an absolutely beautiful bird, but terrible when your family pet becomes prey.