Stanley Park Owl Release

So our friends mel and jeff rescued an owl a few months ago. they were driving around stanley park, and saw something that just got hit. they went over to investigate, as it looked rather large, and noticed it was an owl! well, mel scooped it up in her jacket, and they drove to the animal clinic all quicklike. well, the animal clinic handed it off to the delta raptor rescue, where it was mended of its broken wing. So to make a long story even longer, the animal rescue called them to tell them it was being released, and if they wanted to come watch, they could.

SOOOOO, this is where we step in. As the local wildlife photographer i was asked to come take some pictures of it as it tastes its newfound freedom once again!

it was a beautiful day last weekend, yet the day had a biting cold to it.
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we met at stanley park, and the gentleman with the Owl was there waiting for us. we met him, and wandered off into the forest to find a good release spot. once found, we were informed that the owl would fly out really quickly, so get ready! well, the girls did…

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all right, all right. lets get to the owl. here is the cute little thing.
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so, after opening the cage, it just kinda of sat there looking at us. like, hey, I’ve had a cushy life, getting fed all the time. why would i want to go back out there? i think that pretty sums up what the owl is thinking in that picture above. anywho, it took some coaxing, and perhaps a little tipping, but eventually she decided it was best to fly away.

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and off we go! a little blurry, but you get the gist
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ohh, much better, sitting on this branch.
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then i ran around and tried to get some good pictures from the front.
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She looks pretty good sitting on that branch! what a fun thing to shoot. i guess i can see why birder’s are so passionate about their craft. its incredibly hard to get good pictures, but very rewarding.

Well, eventually we left the area. and this crazy fog had rolled in.
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and we had a beautiful full moon.
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and the same time… the sun was setting and a great reflection was coming off of the downtown buildings
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and mel and noa had a good time
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probably because of the all the cute ducks flying by, I’m sure of it.
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what a fun outing. thanks to mel and jeff for inviting their photographer out to experience it with them. 😉