owl-less hike

Tonight was the owl hike as part of Get Out Lehigh Valley. It was held in Emmaus at the Poole Wildlife Sanctuary. This is the second of their events I've attended. Both had about 50 participants.

The last time we all went together. This time they split us into four groups and we did what Girl Scouts calls a round robin. I'm sure there is a different name, but that's the one I know.

I was in group B. Two groups started with hiking. B was one of them. It was still light. Now there is good news and bad news. Bad News: It was too light to see owls. It was late into dusk when we returned to the building. Good News: Having the advantage of daylight, or at least dusk, we could avoid massive puddles and soupy mud. We also found a tepee, the bee hives, and watched the sun disappear over the horizon

The full moon was out, and the frog pond still frozen. And when we returned to the building, there were banana boats waiting on the fire. What's a banana boat? Banana and chocolate grilled on an open fire in the skin and tinfoil. Now in Girl Scouts we added mini-marshmallows. I probably haven't had one in about 15 years. Megan was still in Rangers. We also had spiced hot cider.

Then we went inside and had a talk about the center and owls. Did you know the Poole family still lives on the property? I didn't. Or that Pennsylvania is down to 30 pairs of barn owls because of habitat loss? We also learned about seven other Pennsylvania owls, and met the barred owl pictured above. She was found as a baby by a family, and instead of calling a rescue facility or the game commission, they kept her as a pet. In a parrot cage. She grew. The cage didn't. Ultimately she was injured, and took her to the vet who turned them in. They were fined, and the owl had a wing amputated. She can't even live outside in the aviary. With only one wing she can't fly, hunt, warm or cool herself. She looks lonely. In the same way that Adonis always looks sad.

The hike was about 2 miles. Maybe a little bit more.

So far these hikes are 2 for 2. And free. I think I'll do more.