Friday, February 5, 2010

6 Raptors and 1 Skunk...

Last weekend we ventured out into the cold for Community Day (free) at Zoo America in Hershey, PA. It was one of the best experiences we've had there. They had a lot of animals out on display, especially the raptors which are my favorite there.

Here's an Eastern Screech Owl keeping an eye on me!


Red Tail Hawk has his feathers puffed up to keep him warm.


Wish I could have gotten a better pic of the Snowy Owl.


This little owl came in with an injured eye. Now she can't be released back into the wild.


Love the barn owls!


Isn't this Cooper's Hawk a beauty? I was so lucky to get that close!


At the zoo they're teaching their skunk to "paint" with target training. You can buy her "art" in the gift shop. This was Zoe's favorite part.

Hunkering down for a big winter storm today. One good thing about it is that I will have lots of time to paint and create! My Franny the Snow Witch has been marked down, if you're interested scroll down a few posts and read her story.

13 comments:

phaedra96 said...

Both my daughter and I loooove owls and she loves raptors. She does watercolors and has done several of them; one is a falcon on large paper in winter and is gorgeous. She did it for her brother. I love the large water birds also; she has done several of them that are MINE!

Jennifer MacNeill said...

How cool!
There is something so sage like about owls. I have been really drawn to them lately. Maybe they're my new power animal.

magikalseasons said...

Fantastic shots! Love those owls! Stay safe and warm this weekend with all that snow coming! :)

Theresa MacNaughton said...

How beautiful! I love owls and raptors so much. Looks like this is another place we'll have to go and visit. I always try to find wildlife and raptor centers on my journeys. Seems as though we missed this one. Thanks for all the beautiful photos! :) Theresa

Linda said...

I've been hearing about that storm--stay safe! I love the raptors, too. We have two Great Horned Owls in trees across the street from us. They love to swoop down on visitor's cars as they leave and give them a little show. I used to have a hawk. I found him with a broken wing and tried to get him back where he could fly again, but he never could. I think my power animal is the Canadian Goose. I'm not sure about the "power" part of that, though.

Kath said...

Lovely! I adore owls. Years ago, I went to visit a boyfriends sister, who shared a house with a couple, whose pride and joy was their tawny owl. She would come into the lounge during the evening, to enjoy the company of her human family. She would tear up her supper of a whole chick, while we watched TV.

Jessie said...

LOVE the pics of the owls and hawk! The poor owl with the injured eye--so glad that she at least she has a good life in captivity. The skunk is a hoot! I used to work for a lady whose son had a pet skunk, but I never got to see it. "Stinky" never came out from behind the couch when company was around LOL

Unknown said...

Ooooh, I love owls! And the skunk was great, too. No snow here, yet! Stay safe!

Dreamspirations Gallery said...

Letting you know you have an award! Feel free to come by and pick it up whenever you get the time...

Beautiful pics by the way :) Really like the Barn Owl photo!

Jeni said...

Great pictures Jen! Tell Zoe that the Penguins at Cincinnati Aquarium paint too. They sell the pictures as fund raisers.

Debbie said...

Love the pictures, Owl's are one of my favourite creatures.
Stay safe and warm in the Storm and I look forward to seeing what wonders you create..xx

LYNDY WARD said...

Greetings & Salutations,
Happy Early Valentine's Day To You & Yours.

Lovely Bird PICs.

Still time to join the One World One Heart Giveaway.
It's really wonderful to meet so many talented bloggers.

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Cosmic Blessings´¨)
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(¸.•´ (¸.•´Lyndy Ward

Cheryl Kugler, Artist said...

The eyes on those birds look so daring! Beautiful to see up close~

Cheryl
www.cherylkugler.com