Summer's Last Hurrah

First, let me update you on the owl.   I watched him for a while and realized he probably wasn't leaving on his own.   Clearly something was wrong.   As he sat there on the fence, a couple of crows and a gang of Magpies started abusing him.   After a short while, one of the big crows knocked him off the fence onto the ground.   So I called the Pacific Wildlife Rescue group.   http://www.pacificwildlifecare.org    Let me tell you, these guys are awesome!   A volunteer called me back within 5 minutes and we talked through the situation.   I went down to the paddock and was able to toss a dog blanket/rug over the owl.   Then I dragged a big rubber feed tub down there, carefully picked up the owl using the rug wrapped around it, placed it in the tub and covered it.   Not the best plan for keeping the owl cool and well ventilated, but I was slightly intimidated and didn't want it to escape.   The organization sent a transport volunteer who came and picked up the owl, while I was gone riding my horse (yes, I have priorities!), and took it back to the center.   The volunteer called me with a case number and to let me know the owl had arrived safely, although probably dehydrated since I had covered it so well in this heat.   Oops.   Anyway, he reminded me again that they prefer if the public can bring animals to them, although he understood I wasn't able to do that.   And he told me about their volunteer orientation coming up in October, should I want to get involved.   I called late afternoon with the case number to check on the owl.   Yet another volunteer called me back later to say they had no information from the center and would call me Saturday.   Seriously....awesome group of individuals.   I am beyond impressed.

Summer is making a stand and doesn't plan to leave for a couple more weeks.   It's okay because the mornings are cool enough to be outside.   And if I need to get away, there is always the coast.   One of my favorite little spots is a cove that I've photographed a few times.   It's not dramatic or awesome or any of those over-the-top places where people gather.   But if you spend a while, you can find beauty in the simplicity.   My header shot was also taken here.

Have a great weekend and be safe if you're out on the roads.