Sanctuary

This is Spike. He is a Red-shouldered Hawk. This was not a difficult photo to get because Spike lives at the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary at the Loxahatchee River in Jupiter, Florida. Animals find their way to the Sanctuary when they are in need of medical assistance. Often they are brought in by kind-hearted souls who find them shot, struck by vehicles, attacked by other animals or ill. Spike was found near death, his wing badly injured, probably by another animal. He has fully recovered but is not able to be released back into the wild. He has balance problems and he can't fly. So Spike has become a living teaching aid, an ambassador of sorts.

I spent an hour at the Sanctuary today. Not near enough time to see and appreciate all there was there. I'm happy to be able to share with you the photos I took today. The Panther was one of about five that were confiscated by the Water Management Dept. from private individuals and even though they are very healthy, they cannot be released into the wild because they have never learned to hunt and would quickly succumb to starvation, or be shot because they would probably seek out humans for a meal. Not to prey on them but to get fed by them. I think the Black Bear probably has the same story to tell.

I hope that you have a few moments to view my photos ON FLICKR.