Iowa State University Wildlife Care Clinic

As most of you know, me and my sisters are homeschooled (well, technically I am not anymore since I graduated, but I still consider myself homeschooled.) Anyways, I have had a few days off work recently and our area homeschool gym day fell on one of my days off! It was fun to be able to go. There was a presentation by the Iowa State University Wildlife Care Clinic. People can bring injured wild animals in to them and they fix them up and release them! However, in some cases, their injuries cause them to be "non-releasable" so they bring these with them during their educational programs. I thought this would be a good opportunity to get some up-close and personal photos of some native Iowa birds, that perhaps I would not be able to get otherwise. I know they are not in their natural habitat, but I hope you enjoy these photos of God's beautiful creation!

This is an Eastern Screech Owl named Screechy. He has been at the clinic for 12 years.

He is mostly blind, but still has a very good sense of hearing!

This one is an American Kestrel named Kessie.

As you can see, she only has one wing. She had so many injuries, they had to amputate her wing. (Which has since been made illegal. If a bird has that bad of injuries, they have to put them down) It is amazing to me how she has learned to balance and live with only one wing.

This is a Barred Owl named Kali. She has something wrong with the lens in her left eye. You can almost tell in this picture.

She is so beautiful!

A Great Horned Owl named Harvey. He only has one eye.

This was his first show. You could tell he was not as comfortable as the others with all the people.

Last, but not least, a Red-Tailed Hawk. (for whatever reason no one in my family can remember it's name! please comment if you know!) Her shoulder was dislocated and now she cannot fly well. As you can see, she also does not sit quite like a normal hawk, which is because of her injuries. (her right shoulder was the one that was dislocated)

So beautiful and fierce!!

The power in these claws is amazing!

I cannot resist a black and white or sepia photo!

All of these birds are raptors. Another bird in the raptor family is the American Bald Eagle. Have you heard of the Decorah Eagle Cam? It is a project from Raptor Resource, and I am definitely addicted! We began watching last year, and it is one of my favorite things to do! Here is a link! Some people find it boring. To me, what could be more interesting and awe inspiring than watching Endangered Birds in their natural habitat, unhindered by man. One of my favorite moments was a late snow storm last year. Both parents were huddled together, snow covered on the nest to keep the babies warm. (Usually only one parent is there at a time) It is amazing to see how God provides for these creatures, and if He cares for them, how much more does He care for us- His children!

Well I had better finish up now. Mayhaps I can squeeze in an episode of MASH before our weekly Veggie-Tale watching, popcorn eating, family time! God Bless!

Florida Part Three OR In the Clouds

I have been debating whether or not I want to do this post. In fact, if I hadn't said I would do three posts of Florida pictures, I probably wouldn't be doing this. The reason is, they are not the best pictures. They were taken out of a plane window, so they are not super clear. However, I still think they are pretty cool! If you have never been on a plane before, or if it has been a while definitely take a look at these photos! (Even if you have recently flown, they still are awesome)

The beauty of the view out of the plane window is so lovely. There is so much grandeur in the sky. My youth leader, whom I admire very much, once said something like, "Maybe God created these crazy fish in the deepest parts of the ocean just to say, 'I was here first!' to man when he discovers them" (I actually don't know if he was quoting someone else or not) However, the point is that I agree, and I was thinking the same thing up in the clouds, admiring God's beautiful creation in the sky! :)

I get sick on air planes unless I look out the window, drink ginger ale, and eat the whole time.

<3 I love this one :)

This one and the next you can definitely tell it is out of a window.

This one is not the best, however it amuses me. It looks like a cloud farm! :) I showed it to my littlest sister (age 7) and she says, "Look! It is like a field of clouds!"

No, this is not Antarctica ;)

The sun was so bright I had to wear my sunglasses. I kept trying to get a picture with a cool star-burst effect.

It is always fun to fly "near" other planes in the air.

This one had the funkiest trail (or whatever you call it)

 Well, thank you again for taking the time to read this post! :) I hope that it has brightened your day! I know these photos were not the greatest quality, however I think the subject is so amazing! Thank you God for your wonderful creation!

Florida Part Two OR A Day at the Beach

Well, Here is my next post of pictures from Florida. This time the subject is.... the beach! It was more of a challenge than I thought to take photos of the ocean. I took lots of photos, but I am not sure... I guess that may be because the ocean is such a panoramic subject, without one thing to focus on. When we were at the ocean we saw dolphins. They were way out in the distance, but we could see them jumping and the sun reflecting off them! It was amazingly awesome! Unfortunately I was not able to get any photos. They were so fast and far away, and it was unpredictable when they would pop up. I hope you enjoy the photos I was able to take!

This was the first photo I took of the ocean. We weren't even on the boardwalk yet, I was so excited!!

It was soo blue! A photo couldn't capture it.

There were TONS of shells!!

There was also a cute little tide pool! It is hard to tell in the photo but it was almost knee deep!

The water was so clear! It is hard to tell how deep it is.

This is possibly my favorite one I took.

I LOVE the ocean :)

The picture says it all :)

There was no one else on the beach this direction for most of the day. All the silly Florida people thought it was too cold. :) There were some folks fishing though.

This is my aunt and my grandma :) looks like a postcard!

Here is my cousin fishing!

Well I hope these photos maybe made you smile! :) I love the beauty of God's creation! There will be one more post in my Florida series so stay tuned!

Florida Part One OR Manatees!

Hello everyone! My sister Daisy and I are home from our sunny vacation at our aunt's house in Florida! There were so many fun things to do and try there. Examples-

Animals I saw in their natural habitats: Manatees, armadillos, blue herons and other various birds, fish I do not know the name of, dolphins, and an alligator!!!

I got to eat alligator as well! (I have had it before and I LOVE it!)

We went back and forth between Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios theme parks with our cousin! We rode all sorts of roller coasters!!! The Harry Potter section was my favorite, they did such a good job of making it look realistic!

We went bowling. (not my best sport... don't ask..)

We played Kinect, and Farkle, and I got to draw and paint.

We enjoyed seeing Floridians all bundled up in winter gear in the "cold"' 50 degree weather.

We went to an interesting concert. It was the Beatles. Except not the Beatles. 

Going to Blue Spring was one of the major highlights! Basically it is a natural spring, and manatees go there in the winter because the water is warmer than the ocean and they cannot survive in the cold. Since the water is warm, and it is a natural habitat there were many fish and birds as well. Also an alligator!

I learned exactly how hard it is to take pictures of a subject underwater, especially in the sunny areas. I did my best. I think I need to invest in a Polarized lens filter (is that the correct name?) I am not sure even how expensive they are... oh well! hope you enjoy! 

Don't forget! If you click on the photos you can view them larger!

These birds were just begging to have their pictures taken. I loved their poses!

The birds would swim in the water to fish. then they would dry their wings like this!

it is hard to see, but all those blobs underwater are manatees!

It was a "cold" morning- probably lower 60's (this is at 8 o'clock), the water is 72 degrees from the spring, so steam would rise off the water.

It was gorgeous!

A mama and baby :)

There was a trail- I am not sure how long it was. Probably about a mile long. the whole thing was on this boardwalk raised up from the ground. The trail took you all the way up to the different viewing points and eventually to the spring itself. It was wonderful!

Had to take a picture of the picture sign :)

How beautiful is God's creation!

It is so sad to see all the scars on the manatees body's. They are caused by propellers on boats, because they swim slow and close to the surface.

They are such gentle creatures!

It was so funny to see them breathe!

Apparently the water goes a ways under the bank. This is a manatee underneath what appeared to the the edge of the land.

More breathing!

This looks so nasty!

Look at the bristles on it's nose!

How can people think that this wonderful place was created by an accident? God is a master creator!

It is hard to tell but that dark area in the water toward the bottom of the photo is the spring. It is 110 ft deep. In the summer when there is not danger of frightening the manatees away, you are allowed to dive down to the bottom!

Here are those birds again. All day they sit on the floating boundary things!

There was a cool airplane!!

I am quite sure this is a Great Blue Heron- correct me if I am wrong!

The water was soo still!

Here is the alligator!!!

I decided I had to many Florida Pictures to put in one post. The next post I will hopefully get done this next week, and then I have one more after that! Hope you enjoyed Part One! God bless!!