Tuesday, November 01, 2022

Last Stop: Casa Kittling

 


Casa Kittling has been a refueling station for many feathered travelers over the years. I think it has a lot to do with all the trees (mostly sumac, palo verde, and pecan) as well as the swimming pool in the back garden. When you're traveling in the desert, you learn to be on the lookout for shade and water!
 
Unfortunately, this lovely great horned owl made our property its last stop. When I went out one morning and saw it on the ground on the other side of the pine tree, I knew something was wrong. For one thing, it was on the ground. For another, I got close to it, and it didn't move. Those great eyes looked at me as if to say, "Leave me alone. I feel terrible."
 
I called a local wildlife rehabilitation center that quickly sent a couple of people to get the owl and take it to their veterinarian. They called me the next day to let me know that the owl had died. It was a sad ending to this particular visitor's story, but not every story is a happily ever after.

14 comments:

  1. That is sad, even more for those of us who cherish our coinhabitants of the planet. But soon new owls will be visiting, I'm sure.

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    1. We're missing that huge pine tree out front, so perhaps not.

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  2. I'm sorry to hear this, Cathy. But it's so wonderful that your home is a haven to so many animals!

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    1. Yes, speaking of which, JR went for a swim in the pool tonight. I love it when he stops by. I also think I saw a coyote down the street around midnight Monday night.

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  3. That's so sad but at least it got to pass in the warmth of shelter.

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  4. How sad. What a beautiful creature and how lucky you were to get so close to it.

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    1. I guess it knew this was a safe place to come to.

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  5. That is so sad! Owls are such beautiful birds. I love when I get the chance to see one. I wonder what was wrong with this one.

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    1. The poor thing was riddled with some sort of parasites.

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  6. Heartbreaking. I enjoy the calls of the Great Horned and Barred Owls in my neighborhood every night. The sing me to sleep.

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    1. Yes, I used to lie in bed at night down in SE Arizona and listen to a pair of great-horned owls.

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  7. He was wise enough to pick somewhere that a kind soul would try to get help for him.

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