Galileo at Hawkwatch – ©Nancy Blech Matro, used with permission
Nancy Blech Matro, outgoing Hawkwatch International Board Chair, contacted me yesterday to share news with me about Galileo the Short-eared Owl I had a small part in rescuing.
On June 19th of this year a young Short-eared Owl’s life changed when he became entangled on a barbed wire fence. Myself and Ron Dudley got him off of the fence and rushed him to meet up with Mike Shaw who works with Hawkwatch International. From there the fledgling Short-eared Owl was transferred to Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah (WRCNU) where he spent several months recovering before moving back to Hawkwatch International to become an an education bird and bird of prey ambassador.
Nancy attended her last board meeting at Hawkwatch on Wednesday and the staff there brought Galileo out to meet her. She took this image of Galileo and shared it with me and I was delighted to see how much he had grown since I last held him. Nancy also told me that Galileo is almost ready to be an education bird. I love the name they picked for him!
I’m so happy that Galileo will be at Hawkwatch and that I will be able to go and see the Short-eared Owl that many wonderful people helped to rescue, rehabilitate and train. Although it made me sad that he could not be released I know that he is going to be a great ambassador to the public about birds of prey and specifically Short-eared Owls.
My thanks to Nancy for sharing this news with me. I hope to see Galileo again in person soon.
Adult male Short-eared Owl staring at me – Nikon D810, f9, 1/800, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
I included this image because very soon this is how Galileo will look when he is fully mature. Short-eared Owls are such handsome birds.
Life is good. Even when the world seems to be in utter chaos there are good people doing good. I believe we need to remember and celebrate that fact.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Short-eared Owl photos plus facts and information about this species.
Thanks for sharing this good outcome for Galileo, Mia! I had the opportunity to meet an ‘Education’ bird years ago at an (hunting/fishing??) expo event in Jordan, UT. The owl was calm and patient as hundreds of people stopped to visit. This little ‘ambassador’ was a real traffic-stopper, giving the handler and assistant the opportunity to tell these people about the owl, their program and why it mattered. The owl was a wonderful ambassador and I’m sure helped generate much support for this important program.
Love this! Such a handsome fellow!
Mia! Thank you for sharing this on my your moms site! So I can share with all our families and loving friends! Love ya much mom
Thank you for the update. And thank you to all the people who helped save him.
Glad little owl survived bout with the devil’s wire….how many poor things don’t, but starve horrible deaths instead, struggling vainly to free themselves….
Glad little owl survived bout with the devil’s wire….how many poor things don’t, but starve horrible deaths instead, struggling vainly to free themselves….
Glad he is doing well, thank you for caring!
I’m happy that Hawk Watch is keeping you updated on Galileo’s life. Can’t wait to hear when you meet him. 🙂
Great news – thanks for sharing!
Good luck, Galileo.