Hello everyone!
Thank you to everyone who made Wings Over Wausau (WOW) a success this past Saturday! I have a few photos from the event that I think you will all really enjoy!
Photo above: First of all, I have to introduce you all to the wonderful, Megan Ackley, pictured here with Great Horned Owl, Fonzi. She was the main coordinator and brains behind the WOW event, and she did a wonderful job! She and her entire family came out for the event and donated their time. Thank you for everything, Megan and family, and we can't wait to do it with you all again next year.
Photo above: Upon arrival, our WOW guests were greeted by Chris, a volunteer, and Alberta Halfmann, one of our rehabilitators. They were able to get a close-up look at real bird nests and eggs, and learned what to look for if you find a baby bird.
Photo above: Douglas, the son of Molly, our Director of Education, lead children (and some adults) in a bird habitat matching game. Other games were being lead by volunteers April and Lelani, nieces of Alberta.
Photo above: The first stop with live birds was the Owl station. Here people were able to meet nearly every species of owl found in Wisconsin. We had an Eastern Screech owl, a Saw-whet Owl, a Long-eared Owl, a Great-horned Owl, a Barred Owl, and a Barn Owl who each took turns meeting everyone all day. Pictured above are Lenora, a volunteer holding Saw-whet Owl, Sally, and Molly, our Director of Education, holding Great-horned Owl, Fonzi.
Photo above: Stacie, one of our extraordinary volunteers, gives some visitors a close-up look at owl talons with help from Barn Owl, Rhomey.
Photo above: Kerry, another of our super volunteers, and Long-eared Owl, Oscar have fun greeting everyone on their way in.
Photo above: The second stop was the Turkey Vulture station where people learned how amazing vultures really are. Katie Farvour, our other rehabilitator, and Turkey Vulture, Fran, convinced people that bald is beautiful. ;)
Photo above: At the third station, people were able to meet Falcons face-to-face. Brigid, a volunteer, introduces people to American Kestrel, Mo, and Katherine, an intern, introduces people to Peregrine Falcon, Ishmael.
Photo above: The fourth station was all about hawks. Here, people were able to meet a Broad-winged Hawk, a Harris's Hawk, a Rough-legged Hawk, and a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk throughout the day. Katie, a volunteer and former intern, taught everyone about Broad-winged Hawks with help from Aries.
Photo above: Kyle, an intern, introduced people to Harris's Hawk, Gypsy, and taught them about her amazing adaptations for desert life.
Aside from the amazing live birds we brought for people to meet, we had yummy food for people to enjoy, wonderful vendors for people to visit, and a silent auction to participate in. Thank you to all who donated items for the silent auction, and to all who participated in the bidding!
Photo above: We had many wonderful donations for the silent auction, and this basket was among my favorites because of the adorable owl charms!
Photos above: Lots of people put in very generous bids throughout the event. Thank you!
Photo above: Even Red-tailed Hawk, Julie wanted to visit our vendors. She seemed to be very impressed with the beautiful jewelry at the Lia Sofia booth, as was Marge Gibson, REGI's Executive Director.
Photo above: One of our other fundraisers for the day were these beautiful WOW shirts designed by the wonderful Mr. Hass. Thank you, they're terrific!
The setting this year was very beautiful, and we very pleased to be in the Grand Theater's Great Hall! We had a great turn-out this year, and we are already looking forward to next year!
We must say thank you again to all of our wonderful volunteers and sponsors who helped make the day possible, and to all of the visitors that came to support us and make donations. With your help, we were able to make WOW a success, and we are all looking forward to doing it again next year!
If you missed the event or would still like to purchase your very own beautiful WOW t-shirt, let us know! You can call us at (715) 623-2563 or email me at Karissa.REGI@gmail.com. They are a donation of $10 and we will send them to you in the mail. If you attend one of our public tours being held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 am or 1pm until August 30th (PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED), you can purchase one at our facility for only $8! We are out of size Large, but still have some in Youth Medium, and Adult Small, Medium, and Extra Large.
Thanks everyone!
Karissa Mohr
Wildlife Educator
Photo above: This gorgeous Yellow-throated Vireo was admitted, unable to fly because of a collision with a window. Yellow-throated Vireos are the brightest of the Vireos, and it is exciting to see such a beautiful bird, but unfortunate it had to be under these circumstances.
Photo above: This young Broad-winged Hawk was hit by a car and is unable to fly. He is a little underweight, and his wings have been taped to allow them to heal properly.
Photo above: This Red-tailed Hawk was found in Stevens Point, WI unable to fly due to starvation. Upon examination it was discovered that he is less than half the weight he should be. He is being tube fed several times per day to help improve his weight, and hopefully he'll continue to fight.
Photo above: This young male American Kestrel was found unable to fly, was very thin, and acting abnormally. Since he has been here, he is stronger, eating with a bit of encouragement, and acting more the way a kestrel should act.
Photo above: This Bald Eagle was hit by a truck and has a broken left wing. A collision with a vehicle can do a number on the internal organs of any creature, and it appears that his injuries have taken a lot out of him. With more rest, we hope he can recover from his internal injuries.
Photo above: This Osprey is another victim of a vehicle collision. His wings have been taped to help them heal and he requires a lot of encouragement to get him to eat. He is standing which is a good sign, and we hope for continued improvement.
Photo above: This is not a current patient, but former patient I'd like to update you on. Remember the teeny baby Turkey Vulture from way back in June? Well here he is, all grown up, and back in the wild! We have a number of wild Turkey Vultures that live on and near the REGI property, so this youngster was released right here. We can tell him apart from the adults because he still has his juvenile black head and a few downy feathers around his neck. Now and then he'll excite us all by flying above with the adult vultures. It's great to see him enjoying life!
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