Wildlife Sanctuary: Winter Edition

Yes, it's still winter. Although many of us are sighing for spring, it just doesn't seem to be coming any time soon.

With another arctic blast scheduled for next week, we took advantage of the sunny weather and 19 degree day. We visited the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, planning to spend our time indoors rather than outside.

A massive welcoming committee greeted us in the parking lot.

And when we went towards the building, they followed behind.

We left them behind at the doors. I don't think the staff would have 

appreciated us letting them in to warm their beaks.



Once inside, we got to see some unique and interesting critters while staying warm at the same time. As we sipped our coffees (and Grace snacked on string cheese), we wandered through the building and met some great new friends.

Northern Saw Whet Owl

Eastern Screech Owl.

He looked perfectly healthy until he turned his head...

...and then it was obvious why he was there.

A staring contest with a toad.

Eastern blue bird

Green heron- 

Though they are common in Northeast Wisconsin,

 this was the first time I'd seen one.

After finishing our coffee, we  braved the cold for a while and fed the birds. We saw several species of ducks, as well as a few particularly sociable geese. Grace had the time of her life feeding the birds, and they were VERY happy for every corn kernel they received.

A single, solitary goldeneye duck.

A black duck. You can differentiate this from a female (hen) mallard by its beak and head. It has a plain yellow beak and a sharp black stripe across its head. Its color is darker as well.

A hen mallard. Note the darker bill, lighter feather color, and blue stripe by its wings.

A beautiful drake mallard.

If you're brave, the ducks and geese will eat right out of your hand.

Don't worry- it doesn't hurt a bit. :)

We also visited snakes, frogs, guinea pigs, bats, pigeons, mice, boas, bass, and sunfish- all without visiting the wolf/animal building or the birds of prey section. It's such a great (and free!) resource for indoor and outdoor nature experiences.

Plus, it's so great to see the injured animals that are being helped, healed, and cared for by volunteers. You can't help but feel sympathy for these animals, being nurtured during the lowest point in their lives. Without human intervention, they would most likely have died in the wild. If they hadn't been brought to the sanctuary, they would have stayed hurt, alone, and hopelessly lost.

Without God's intervention in our lives, we are in that same position. Sin has crippled us, maimed us- scarred us in some way. There isn't a person alive who doesn't look back on their past without some level of regret or pain. We all make mistakes, but those mistakes don't have to be our downfall.

You may feel God has forgotten you. Perhaps this is the lowest point in your life, or you're at a point that is beyond fixing. But you were created by a God that is far wiser and more knowledgeable than you; He can heal your broken leg or injured wing. Or, you can stay alone in the woods, trying to cure the situation yourself. Help is available for you- it's just a matter of whether or not you will choose to access the resource you need.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with stripes we are healed. -Isaiah 53:5

Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise. -Jeremiah 17:14



Healed by Him,

Jen