Wednesday began just like any other drive to work on a cold November day. It was still dark with a slight sliver of sunlight breaking the horizon. I was headed south on Highway 14, clocking around 75 mph. I was late and feeling rushed for a training with the four N.D. community colleges. The desolate road is a good place to make up a little time. Ten miles north of interstate 94, I saw a horned owl take flight from his perch on a fence post off to my left. The bomber mission was headed for the direct path of my Equinox, no time to stop, swerve, or avoid. Thump. Oh, no!! I looked in my rearview mirror and didn't see a thing, no shadow, no feathers, nothing. I think I just lost the grill to my car.
I pulled into the parking lot at BSC to assess the damage. The day was worse for the owl than for me. Ugh. So, I went into the classroom and told my colleagues of the owl's unfortunate demise.
I cornered my colleague, Joe, for some assistance to help me retrieve the dead owl from my car. We decided it would be a good project for lunch. So at noon, Joe and I head to my car to take care of the issue at hand. As we approached, it looked like the owl was gone. Who would pull the dead bird out of my grill?
To our surprise, we find Mr. Owl looking back at us. "Now, what am I going to do, Joe?" Joe said, "I'm not helping you!"
I called the N.D. Game & Fish with a strange question, "So, I hit an own with my car this morning and he is still very much alive in my grill. I have no idea how to get him out. Do you have any ideas for me?" The receptionist said, "That is a strange question. Let me check with the game warden." She came back on the line and said, "Owls are the jurisdiction of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, so I would give them a call and see if they can help you." Who knew?
I placed a similar call to US Fish and Wildlife Service, who indicated that the owl specialist was out to lunch but he would call me back on my cell as soon as he could be reached.
The owl specialist, Kevin, called me a few minutes later. I told him of my predicument. He said he would be there in about 30 minutes to take a look.
Sara
I pulled into the parking lot at BSC to assess the damage. The day was worse for the owl than for me. Ugh. So, I went into the classroom and told my colleagues of the owl's unfortunate demise.
I cornered my colleague, Joe, for some assistance to help me retrieve the dead owl from my car. We decided it would be a good project for lunch. So at noon, Joe and I head to my car to take care of the issue at hand. As we approached, it looked like the owl was gone. Who would pull the dead bird out of my grill?
To our surprise, we find Mr. Owl looking back at us. "Now, what am I going to do, Joe?" Joe said, "I'm not helping you!"
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| Hello Mr. Owl |
I called the N.D. Game & Fish with a strange question, "So, I hit an own with my car this morning and he is still very much alive in my grill. I have no idea how to get him out. Do you have any ideas for me?" The receptionist said, "That is a strange question. Let me check with the game warden." She came back on the line and said, "Owls are the jurisdiction of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, so I would give them a call and see if they can help you." Who knew?
I placed a similar call to US Fish and Wildlife Service, who indicated that the owl specialist was out to lunch but he would call me back on my cell as soon as he could be reached.
The owl specialist, Kevin, called me a few minutes later. I told him of my predicument. He said he would be there in about 30 minutes to take a look.
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| Mr. Owl does not look too thrilled. |
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| Who needs gloves when you have a red cloth? |
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| Isn't he going to bite you? Oh yes, certainly! Ask an obvious question, get an obvious answer. |
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| Well, hello handsome! |
Kevin took my new friend to the owl rehabilitation center at the Dakota Zoo. He called me late in the afternoon to let me know that the owl was perfectly fine. He had full movement of his wings and legs. The veterninarian has examined him and doesn't even think any bones are broken. Kevin said he has an old injury to his wing that's preventing him from getting lift when he flies, which is probably why you hit him. We will fix the old injury and release him in a few weeks.
A happy ending to a crazy day. I shall name him Lucky!
Sara
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