February 20, 2016

Poor Little Critters

This mourning dove was in our yard. It looks fine from this side but from the other side I could see that it was injured. I think it was attacked by a predator.

I called a wildlife rescue for advice and they said if I could bring it to them in a shoe box they would try to help. I put on gloves and got Frank to go out the other door so I could catch it. However, when I approached, it flew up into a tree.


I have not seen it since then. Last year we had an injured goose in our yard. It had a hurt foot and struggled to keep up with it's family members, although it was probably okay when swimming in the lake.

I am not experienced at approaching geese and was afraid to try to pick it up, plus it wouldn't fit in a shoe box!  However, a woman who was braver than I was able to capture it and take it to the wildlife center. I don't know if they were able to help it enough to release it back into the wild.

This squirrel was not injured but he looked pathetic with his wet tail. It was a day when snow had fallen and turned to rain, and squirrel was hungry enough to feed even when the rain was still coming down. I guess you do what you need to do!

Sharing with Saturday's Critters




21 comments:

  1. here on Maui I wake to the cooing of the mourning doves

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  2. Hello Linda!:) Shame about the dove's injuries, but wild creatures are wary of being caught,..at least you tried, and had better luck with the goose. Cute pics of the squirrel,in the second shot his tail looks more like a feather duster than a bushy tail!:)

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  3. The squirrel photos are darling...so, so sweet.

    As for the injured birds, you are wonderful to try and help [as is your brave neighbor]. I figure tho, if it can fly injured, they'll recover. At least that is what I WANT to believe.

    Sorry I'm late getting around to visit with you this weekend. I was gone all day yesterday....birding, of course!! Thanks for joining in by adding your valued link of your fantastic post!!

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  4. I know lots of people dislike squirrels, but I think they're very sweet and funny. It's so sad when the animals are hurt. An injured opossum came into our yard last summer. I made it as comfortable as I could but it died while I was waiting for the wildlife rehabber to call back. Kind of traumatic :(

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  5. Hello, wonderful critter photos. I love the sweet dove, squirrel and the goose. I hope the goose is Ok and can be released. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Sunday, enjoy your new week!

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  6. Poor birds! The squirrel is so cute.

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  7. The poor birds. How those squirrels get to be so acrobatic is astonishing.

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  8. Sometimes birdies make it on their own. I'm guessing the ones that can't have tough odds, even if a wildlife rehab person gets to them.

    As for Nutkin, he is both infuriating and charming, isn't he?
    ~

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  9. so much pain even in widllife. From the look of the dove it is amazing it could get up in a tree.

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  10. I hate to see animals that are injured. Makes me sad to see them, especially if I know I am unable to help them.

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  11. Wildlife can be fragile but people do help if they can. At least you know you tried and feel good about that. Squirrels are very persistent and can be very annoying at times. They are interesting critters to observe :)

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  12. It is always sad to see an injured animal. Nature is harsh.

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  13. Poor little things. I had a hummingbird crash into my window once. I took it to a wildlife rescue center and they tried to save it, but it died.

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  14. Wonderful shots of dove and squirrel.

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  15. oh i hope the little dove is ok, poor thing :(

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  16. Beautiful photos, especially those of the squirrel.

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  17. Poor Dove it doesn't know a kindly hand when it needs one...
    The Squirrel is a cutie on your bird feeder, they are so cheeky that it's hard to get cross with them eating all the food for the little birds isn't it?
    Wren x

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  18. It's always so sad when we see injured birds or animals! Years ago we found a baby duck that had been attacked by a turtle or something and the vet told us to bring it inside and apply Bacitracin to its wounds until it was better and then re-release it, which we did. Another time my husband happened upon an injured hawk on the side of the highway and he and his friend threw a towel around it and took it took a rescues center where they cared for it till it was well and could be re-released. They sent us pictures of him in his cage. I was so happy he did well!

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  19. It is always sad to see injured animals / birds ...

    The squirrel does look cute!

    All the best Jan

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