Day 116- Out of Comfort Zones

Today I watched a friend take a giant leap out of her comfort zone- and I peeked a little out of mine.

I like birds. I appreciate birds. I love to photograph birds. I think the world would be a much less beautiful place without birds. Yes, I like birds. . . . but really only from a distance.A short distance, but a distance nonetheless.  In other words, I don’t want to handle birds- bird-watching, bird photographing, bird appreciating?  YES!  Bird handling? Ewww- not quite ready for that. I’m a little squeamish.  Don’t even ask me about fish.

Today I had two up close and personal bird encounters! But- my record is still clean- I didn’t actually touch a bird.

My friend and fellow photoblogger (infocusdaily.com and Bobo’s Blog), Carol, owns an Amazon parrot (of Bobo’s Blog fame), and today I was going to meet her (Bobo) for the first time.  When I arrived, Carol announced that there would be a change of plans- we would be going on a HAWK RESCUE!  Carol had recently signed up to be a volunteer hawk rescuer, and today she received her first call. And I would be going along!

Just the two of us.

We sped to the vet’s to get a crate- and then drove a half hour to where the hawk had been found behind a tire store.  We were escorted behind the store, where we met the quiet and very injured red-tailed hawk.  I had my camera- but was so affected by the circumstances that I didn’t take time to adjust settings- I just snapped a few blurry shots.

Carol, however, took charge.  She covered the hawk with a blanket and quickly and gently lifted it into the carrier.  I was so impressed with her calmness and willingness to step out of her comfort zone to help an injured animal.  Bravo, Carol!

Once in the carrier, the hawk, which had been standing and walking around previously- lay still.  We were afraid it was dying- or dead.  Carol bravely opened the cage door and reached in to adjust the covering to make certain it could breathe.  We drove it to the vet, and later in the afternoon, Carol received word that the hawk had a severe head injury and an uncertain prognosis.  What an afternoon!

And then I got to meet Bobo- the most charming and beautiful parrot you could ever imagine!  I had planned that her photo would be my photo of the day, so I had fun clicking away as her curiosity caused her to come out of her cage and come ever closer to me.  As I snapped this photo, I noticed Carol photographing ME- which would be her photo of the day!

f/2.2, 1/80, ISO 640, 35mm