He's back again, and calling, so Beauty can't be far away.

         

     

Dot.ca this morning:

         

Thanks for posting, Alison!  I just read this newest update on FB!

Amanda Nicholson, WCV: Hey all -- just a quick update -- Dr. Ernesto told me that HK is standing already on his new contraption! Yay! He's still a bit sleepy (probably will not eat tonight) but looking good.

Thanks, Kris! I just came to post the same short update which you posted!  After everything HK has been through today, it's remarkable that he is standing already. He is one strong eagle. I am so glad that he is receiving this excellent level of care.

[September 5, 2017]

HK is now out of surgery:

September 5, 2017

On the morning of September 5, Dr. Ernesto and licensed veterinary technician Leigh-Ann took Bald Eagle HK to surgery. Critter Cam viewers were able to watch the events on cam!

Leigh-Ann anesthetized the eagle and both she and Dr. Ernesto prepared the surgical site – plucking feathers all along HK’s injured leg. The bird received pain medication prior to surgery, and a catheter was placed to deliver fluids during the surgery. After the bird was prepared, he was taken into the Center’s operating room for the procedure.

Dr. Ernesto placed five pins in HK’s leg, above and below the fracture site. After the pins were placed, two external stabilizing bars were attached to the pins on either side of the leg to offer support to the eagle as he heals. The bars were anchored in place with acrylic. Once the bars were firmly in place, each was wrapped with protective vet wrap. Dr. Ernesto was pleased with the surgery overall.



The entire fixation will stay in place for at least two weeks; then radiographs will be taken. If all is healing well, a “dynamic destabilization� will take place, which means that portions of the apparatus will be removed slowly. If all goes well, it will take about five weeks for HK’s leg to heal entirely. After the leg is fully healed, the bird will be moved to an outside enclosure and then will need to be re-conditioned in a large flight pen.

More photos with the update.

https://www.wildlifecenter.org/critter-corner/current-patients/bald-eagle-17-2257-hk

I hope everything will go smoothly during recovery for this beautiful and special eagle.

Some beautiful pics! Thanks for continuing to post them Alison. 

Thank you, Carol! Beauty and DC are beautiful birds.

Early visit:

       

[September 4, 2017]

This morning's update on HK:

September 4, 2017

Bald Eagle HK remained bright and alert throughout the weekend, and ate on his own Saturday evening and Sunday! The leg bandage has remained clean and dry, and there is evidence of minor swelling of the injured leg and foot, which is to be expected.

Dr. Ernesto, the Center’s Hospital Director, has been reviewing the radiographs and planning Tuesday’s surgery. He’ll be applying an external fixation to the fractured metatarsus; while many avian fractures can be pinned with an intramedullary [IM] pin, the metatarsus can’t be repaired using that technique, as the hock or metatarsus-phalanx joint would be damaged. Instead, pins will be inserted through both sides of the eagle’s leg, both above and below the fracture. An external fixation pin will then be held in place by the pins in the eagle’s leg, which will offer stability and support during the healing period. Dr. Ernesto will decide on his final configuration of the fixation on Tuesday.

The update also has radiographs of HK's leg fracture.

https://www.wildlifecenter.org/critter-corner/patient-updates/bald-eagle-17-2257-hk-update-0

DC was calling Beauty, who was not far away:

         

I also think it would be a great idea! Speaking of Shakypix, I am having no luck trying to find Shaky's Kaver poem about his fierceness and hunting skill that ends with "and they call me QTpa2T or something like that. I'd love to see that one again.

Dot in PA

Dot, could this possibly be the one you are looking for, called "Top Gun"? I always really liked this one.

HK update!

http://www.wildlifecenter.org/critter-corner/patient-updates/bald-eagle-17-2257-hk-update

Didn't expect an update so soon! Thanks, Kris!

Things sounds somewhat better, and it seems that the WCV staff are trying to keep HK comfortable until he is ready for surgery on his leg. I see that the prognosis of "guarded" has been upgraded to "guarded to fair".

Love them Shaky!!  need a calendar with those kind of pictures !!!!!   

Hmmm, 2018 will be the 10th anniversary of the final M&K season. Maybe a special edition classic Shakypix calendar would be appropriate.

I think that's a great idea! Always loved the Shakypix.

Just waiting:

     

     

Today, September 2, is International Vulture Awareness Day.



Vultures have always been much maligned, and sometimes even feared, but they are extremely beneficial birds. They are the clean-up crew of the avian world, and they do an excellent job. They help to keep the countryside clean, and thereby prevent the spread of disease.

They have their own special beauty, and the most magnificent wings.

I read a few days ago that vultures, as a group, are now the most endangered birds on the planet.

Their numbers have been decimated by the veterinary use in livestock of Diclofenac, which is extremely toxic. Although the effects of Diclofenac have long been known, it has not been banned. When vultures consume carrion containing Diclofenac, they will die, and it is a horrible way to die. In India, vultures have been almost completely exterminated by Diclofenac; their numbers have decreased by 97.4%.

A short video from SEO Birdlife in Spain in which a vulture asks "Who is the vulture, you or I?"

"I keep the countryside free of illness.

I save millions of euros.

I protect your health.

Nevertheless,  you kill me.

Diclofenac, which is used to treat livestock, can end up in me.

There are alternatives which are not toxic, and not more expensive.

Banning the use of Diclofenac is just a matter of common sense.

Do not be a vulture like me.

Let me be the only vulture."

http://youtu.be/A_hvP_0sfGg

While peregrine falcons can fly faster than any other bird, one particular kind of vulture, the endangered Rüppell's griffon, holds the altitude record. These huge birds routinely fly at around 27,000 feet, and one was recorded flying at 37,000 feet. At that altitude, the vulture collided with a commercial airplane.

Rüppell's griffon:



Showing the beautiful wings:



Cinereous vultures are also endangered. This is a chick who made his first flight on August 29.



Soliciting food from a parent:



Cinereous vultures:

http://youtu.be/ToJEorKfm8c

Handsome Éole at the nest today:









Eve has also been at the nest frequently.

I keep checking for new updates on Spirit, but so far have found none.

Very sad to read that HK has been injured, and that the prognosis is guarded.   I remember him and his siblings so well.

At least he is at WCV, where he will receive the best possible care. I hope the surgery will go well next week, and that this handsome eagle will make a full recovery.

Thank you for posting the news, Kris.

Bill & I toured the WCV a few years ago and it's a wonderful place with an incredible staff...he is in great hands.  HK's sister, HE, was Dad Norfolk's mate in 2015 but, unfortunately, she succumbed to injuries from a vehicle strike in Jan. 2016.

I haven't been there, Kris, but I would love to visit WCV. I know how good they are with eagles, and they have excellent avian veterinary surgeons. HK will have the best chance for recovery at WCV.

I remember reading about his sister at the time. It is so very sad that she was lost at such a young age.

Today Fontenelle Forest Raptor Recovery posted a short video showing the eagle's return to their facility.

https://www.facebook.com/fontenelleforest/videos/1637585619608021/