Wow. We’ve got corn. We think the squirrels planted it.

Caterpillars like Parsley.

UPDATE: Her injuries we’re to severe. She passed away in her sleep shortly after midnight Friday morning.

Chances of finding and orphaned or injured baby animal or bird are high this time of year. If you find an animal that needs help and you’re not experienced in wild animal care, please refer to the guidance provided by the Piedmont Wildlife Center.

My neighbors have a French drain that outputs on to my driveway. Every year, for at least the last 10 years, the right side drain pipe has been occupied by a frog. I’m not sure if it’s the same frog year after year, but it very well could be. I was able to finally get close enough to him to take his portrait this year. Maybe he’s slowing down a bit.

Update: I did a little research. The average lifespan of a frog is 14 years. So, this frog could very well be the sole occupant all these years. Cool.

Bob Schlatzer with Sandy

This year, something changed in Sandy. She will now let my father pet her and pick her up. She’ll even spend a little time riding his leg as pictured. It’s never for a long time, but after years of hissing and swiping, my father couldn’t be happier.

Canon 50D / 10sec. @ f/22 / Tokina 16-50mm f/2.8

Every year I try to post up something creepy. It’s tradition. I hope I can post a few more. I’m not sure this one tops last year’s shot.

Maceo

Maceo, our 8 year old Ticked Tabby was admitted to the emergency clinic at the NCSU School of Veterinary Medicine last night (8/24). He developed a blockage that caused his bladder to swell to the size of an apple. If we hadn’t taken him when we did, he might not be here today. When cats cannot urinate, the potassium level in their blood rises to a point where it distresses their heart rate, and if not treated quickly results in certain death.

He spent the night and half of today at the Vet School clinic under the care of a senior resident and several students. They inserted a catheter to relieve his bladder and did a series of x-rays to see if there were any other issues. A blood test showed that his potassium level was elevated, but fortunately his heart rate was still beating at a safe rate. The students then administered IV fluids all night in an attempt to wash out the crystals in his bladder that caused the blockage. He did well overnight and he ate a healthy breakfast.

We picked him up after 1pm and transported him to out primary vet, Brentwood Animal Hospital’s Dr. Neuenschwander. He will stay with Dr. N on IV fluids until he thinks that it’s safe to remove the catheter and IV port.

If you have a male cat, make sure you learn about urinary issues that can affect your furry friend.

Receiving IV antibiotics in the hallway at Duke Raleigh Hospital

The wounds Mika gave me on my left hand became very infected and the red area had progressed over most of my hand. After taking my temperature (101.5), I felt like a trip to the emergency room was in order. Elizabeth came home early from work and chauffeured me to the ER. She gave me moral support and kept me smiling through the process.

The ER doc decided I had Cellulitis and put me on two IVs containing very powerful antibiotics. The first one made me vomit within seconds of starting the drip. The second one was easier on my insides, but took a lot longer to administer. Kudos to my nurse Eric. He was awesome with the IVs, and quick on the anti-nausea pills.

So, hopefully I’ll wake up tomorrow fever-free and with less swelling in my hand. Knock wood.

Mika

I took Mika to the vet this morning because she was having trouble breathing. More than usual. She’s had some breathing issues in the past, but they alway seemed to clear up.

The vet suggested we xray her chest to see what was going on. While trying to get her into position, she freaked out, started gasping and attacked my hands with tremendous ferocity. We decided she needed to be sedated, and the vet expressed worry that, in her current state of breathing difficulty, the sedation might kill her. Fortunately, it didn’t.

Upon reviewing the xrays, while I tried to stop my hands from bleeding, we discovered a very large mass in her chest. It was most likely a tumor. The mass was compressing her heart, lungs and trachea. It was then that the conversation went from objective to subjective. It was decision time. I made the tough call to Elizabeth to let her know that we needed to put Mika down. She changed course from heading to work to heading to the vet’s office.

We waited for Elizabeth to arrive. We held Mika and said our goodbyes. Moments later, she was gone.

Mika led a very difficult life. She was a rescue cat from an abusive home. She’s had one illness after another and a traumatic injury shortly after moving in with us years ago. She always bounced back. She was a fighter, and a very sweet cat in spite of her life’s ordeals.

We’ll miss her greatly.

Juvenile Cooper's Hawk

It snowed in Raleigh for the first time this winter. I awoke to the sound of my wife, Elizabeth, scurrying around like a kid, excited about the snow. She suddenly cried out for me to come to the kitchen window. I rubbed my sleepy eyes and stumbled out into the bright light and was amazed to see a young Cooper’s hawk perched in the dogwood tree just outside the kitchen window. I quickly slammed a memory card into my camera and started shooting. I was happy to have gotten a few good shots before he took off.

I’m in a serious Halloween rut with my pumpkin carving. I carved a similar group last year. I had high aspirations for this year’s group, but I’m leaving for San Francisco on Saturday, and I’ve got a million things to do before I leave.

There’s always next year.

Have you found an orphaned baby bird?

If so, you should try to get it to a qualified wildlife rehab specialist in your area. The following links will help you find individuals and organizations that take in orphan birds and other wildlife:

• Wildlife International
• How To Locate a Wildlife Rehabilitator

While you are in the process of finding someone to rehab the bird, you can do the following to care for it:

• Line a clean margarine or similar container with paper towels and place the baby in it. This will provide support for the bird and mimic the comforts and feel of its nest.
• Keep the chick secure and warm in a box / container. UNLESS the chick is fully feathered, the temperature in the box should be between 80 and 90 F. A lamp with a 40 or 60 watt bulb should provide enough heat, but don’t put the lamp directly over the bird. Baby chicks should have enough room to "self-regulate" their temperature. They should have enough room to either move away from the heat source or closer — their own comfort level will dictate that.
• Cover the box to cut down on disturbance to the bird, eliminate drafts, and prevent the bird from getting out of the box.
• Provide emergency food for the baby bird by soaking dry cat food in water until it is completely wet and soft. Break the food into small pieces and place them in the bird’s mouth. The wet cat food will provide all the liquid necessary. Do not try to get the baby to drink water.
• Nestlings require frequent feedings — as much as every 30 minutes from dawn to dark.

More Resources:

• What To Do When You Find a Baby Bird
• Baby Starling & Sparrow Care

Canadian Geese

We have a small pond near our house. It’s been popular with the geese this year.

North American Box Turtle

Every year I look into my back yard for signs of the turtle that has lived there for years. He disappears in winter, hibernating no doubt until the warmth of spring. I found him slowly making his way across the yard a couple days ago. His shell looks a little more worn than last year, but not much else has changed. Welcome back Mr. Turtle.

]]> http://www.kurtschlatzer.com/blog/the-turtle-returns/feed/ 0 http://www.kurtschlatzer.com/blog/were-fired-up/ http://www.kurtschlatzer.com/blog/were-fired-up/#comments Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:46:59 +0000 Kurt http://www.kurtschlatzer.com/?p=139

Chicken with tomatilla salsa (left), squash and zucchini with Turkish spices (right)

We got a new grill. We’re pretty “fired up” about it.

Drugs + Alcohol + Teenager = Disaster

KaBoom is what we heard and felt as a young man driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs crashed his car into a tree in front of our house shortly after midnight.

Fortunately the only casualty was my mailbox, which he ran over on his way to hitting the tree. The car caught fire, but I was able to control it with a fire extinguisher until the fire department came. The driver only suffered minor injuries thanks to his airbags and being asleep at the wheel. I hope he’s learned a valuable lesson and is very grateful a tree and my mailbox was all he hit.

Spyder is one year old today! He celebrated this morning with a feast of stinky wet cat food – something of a delicacy around here. He also let me know it was his birthday starting around 4:30am. Let’s just say I didn’t quite share his enthusiasm at that hour ;-)

ps – I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays!

This is my contribution to scaring the neighborhood children this year. Booo!

I had a visitor in the garden today that reminded me that slow is OK. My shoulder is healing slowly, but steadily – and on schedule. This is the first photo I’ve taken since I injured my shoulder in late July. Not bad for a one handed macro shot.