Tag Archives: Bryant Hichwa

There are many good reasons not to leave a rope, or any kind of line, dangling in a tree or bush. Birds can get entangled. Several weeks ago Gary Hopkins photographed a beautiful Great-horned Owl hanging by a wing in a tree, ensnarled in a rope.

Diane Hichwa tells the story. “Gary Hopkins had family visiting. They saw the owl fly past Friday night. Saturday afternoon as they drove on Moonraker Road on The Sea Ranch they saw a Great-horned Owl caught by a rope in a tree! They got a ladder, gloves, blanket and headed down the steep hill. It took a while to get the rope and the bird down. Then it took a long while to unwrap the multiple wraps of rope around the owl’s wrists.”

Diane [center], Gary Hopkins [front] and Rick Hansen [rear] helped with the rescue. This photo was taken by Bryant Hichwa

The owl was transported to Bird Rescue in Santa Rosa, where she was described as “feisty.” The theory about the rope is that ropes were being used to pull power lines just below the tree. One obviously was left behind. The area was thoroughly checked to make sure no rope was left behind to endanger wildlife. Thanks to everyone who helped this owl!

Thanks to Gary and Bryant for allowing  me to share their photos with you here.

We continue to observe the two mated Bald Eagles near the mouth of the Gualala River. Several weeks ago a juvenile Bald Eagle was spotted on The Sea Ranch. Bryant Hichwa got this photo of the young eagle, which is also called an immature Bald Eagle.

It's wonderful to see these birds continue to recover from pesticide poisoning and other hardships. They are our national emblem.

Thanks to Bryant for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

We are have another wait-five-minutes kind of day - showers followed by brilliant sunshine with a cloud show to savor!

Fox Sparrows are large sparrows, seven inches long. They can be seen on the Mendonoma Coast this time of year as they migrate to our area from points north. Bryant Hichwa photographed one recently.

Fox Sparrows eat mostly insects and have a distinctive "double scratch" motion. They hop forward and then back, dragging their feet through the leaf litter while they search for a tasty bug.

To hear their beautiful whistling song, here is the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/fox_sparrow/sounds

Thanks to Bryant for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

Last week Friends of the Gualala River and I hosted Gualala River Sightings at the Gualala Arts Center. People were invited to send in their favorite photos of our favorite wild river and its environs. Over 120 photos were sent in. I'm happy to be able to share the winning photographs with you.

Best above the river was taken by Peggy Berryhill:

Best in the river was taken by Rozann Grunig- kayaking under a full moon.

Best alongside the river (micro) was taken by Bryant Hichwa - icy morning leaves:

I will share more of the award winning photographs with you tomorrow. Many thanks to the talented photographers here

1 Comment

Two little Western Screech Owls, each believed to be hit by a car, were rescued and taken to the Bird Rescue Center in Santa Rosa. One was found in October and it had a broken bone in its wing. The other was rescued in November. The two Owls were put together. Diane Hichwa was given the charge of picking them up, driving them up windy Highway One and then ten miles up Mountain View Road where one of the owls was found. She invited Rick and me to join her and her husband, Bryant. And what an experience it was! Here is one of the little owls waiting to be set free.

 Below Diane is taking one of the owls out of its travel box. I am nervously standing by, wearing gloves to protect my hands.

 It was so awesome to hold this little owl. They only weigh eight ounces. The one I was holding was quiet in my hands.

 Below Diane has the second owl out and we are prepared to let them go. We let them look at each other before setting them free.

 Diane released her Owl first and it flew off into the trees. I followed a few seconds later and the second Owl followed the first one. Here's hoping they thrive in the future.

Everyone involved with these owls can be proud of a job very well done. It was thrilling for me to be a part of their release.

Bryant Hichwa took these photos and I thank him for allowing me to share them with you here.