September 27, a Barred Owl, glid-ing through a backyard near BuckLake Rd., perhaps focused on a rodentor frog, collided with a volleyball net.

About 5:30 p.m. the next evening,the Scott family discovered him, dan-gling from the net by one leg.

The owl was so worn out fromstruggling that he didn’t move.Parents Kim and Jay donned long-sleeved shirts and gloves and carefullywrapped the owl in a towel and cuthim free.

Then they put the owl in a dogcrate and took him to NorthwoodAnimal Hospital. From there he wastransported to St. Francis Wildlifewhere director and wildlife rehabilita-tor Teresa Stevenson examined him.

“His foot was very swollen. He hadlost circulation and feeling and couldnot use the leg at all. We started himon rehydration therapy and gave himantibiotics and pain medication. Thenwe tube-fed him and gave him vita-mins,” Teresa said.

“Later, while we were cleaning thefoot and doing physical therapy atalon fell off, which indicated that thetissue was dying.

“October 24, we took him toBradfordville Animal Hospital whereDr. Steverson recommended continu-ing the medications and increasingphysical therapy.”

When the owl lost two more talons,they still didn’t give up hope.

December 15, the owl finally start-ed to move his foot, the swelling wasgone and two talons had begun to

regrow.Teresa transferred the Barred Owl

to an outdoor flight cage, where he iseating well, flying and perching per-fectly with both feet.

Throughout the owl’s recovery, theScott family kept close tabs on hisprogress. They came to visit him atevery Open House (the first Saturdayof every month, noon to 1 p.m.).

“It’s been a pretty neat experiencefor the whole family,” said Kim.

Her daughter Loren, a fifth-graderat Buck Lake Elementary, was deeplymoved by "her owl" and the other ani-mals at the wildlife hospital. Shebegan sketching them (Her BarredOwl sketch is on Page 6).

Continued, Please see “BARRED OWL,” Page 6

Wildlife MattersQuarterly newsletter of the St. Francis Wildlife Association

P.O. Box 38160, Tallahassee, FL 32315 / 5580 Salem Rd., Quincy, FL 32352www.stfranciswildlife.org 850.627.4151

St. Francis Wildlife is a local, nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of native wildlifethrough the rehabilitation of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife and public education since 1978.

v.11, No. 1 Winter 2012

Caring

for w

ildlife

for 3

4 ye

ars!

(Left to right) Barred Owl entangled in a volleyball net, PHOTO/KimScott; Loren Scott presents Teresa Stevenson with a check for the notecards she has sold. (Below) Recovering Barred Owl in outdoor flight cage.

PHOTOS/Sandy Beck

A girl and her owlBy Sandy Beck

For more than three decades,Donna Legare and Jody Walthall, co-owners of Native Nurseries, and theirstaff have educated our communityabout native plants and living in har-mony with wildlife. This commitmentextends beyond their unique “storefor nature lovers” on Centerville Road.

Over the years, Native Nurserieshas held many fundraisers for St.Francis Wildlife. This year, a commit-tee headed by Donna has drawn onthe talents and generosity of otherlocal businesses to create a newthree-part event, A Taste of Spain atNative Nurseries, which promises tobe an exciting evening as well as animportant fundraiser for local injured,orphaned and sick wildlife.

Part One: Dinner beside the gar-den pond at Native Nurseries. March18, 60 guests will enjoy this belovedTallahassee landmark by candlelightas they join other wildlife lovers for agourmet dinner, laid-back fun and achance to win unique prizes.

Juan Ten, owner and head chef ofReal Paella, will prepare authenticPaella and Spanish salad with freshingredients — donated by SouthernSeafood, New Leaf Market, Ayavallaand Tomato Land — while guestsenjoy wine donated by WineWarehouse and live Spanish music bythe Big Bend Woodwind Quintet.Tickets to this dinner event literallyflew out the door and are sold out.

Part Two: 2012 Raffle for St.Francis Wildlife. At the March 18dinner, we will draw 12 winning tick-ets, and winners will go home withone of 12 unique prizes, but YOUDON’T NEED TO BE PRESENT AT THEDRAWING TO WIN.

Raffle tickets are just $5 each, sobuy a bunch and increase yourchances. Earmark each ticket for theprize you desire. Prizes include a hotair balloon ride; a sailing adventure; asunset dinner cruise on the St. MarksRiver; custom jewelry by QuincieHamby; three different beach vaca-tions; gourmet fare at Kool Beanz

Cafe; the opportunity to release arecovered raptor; and more!See Page 3 for a complete list ofprizes.

Buy raffle tickets now at four loca-tions: Native Nurseries and Trail & Skiin Tallahassee, Magnolia Café & CoffeeHouse in Havana and Rose’sBotanicals in Apalachicola, or email sandybeck@stfranciswildlife.org.

Part Three: An Online Auction ofthree pieces of nature and animal artby local artists: Brian Bryson — seehis painting now at Native Nurseries;Simon Baxter — his art graces thewalls of brother Keith's Kool BeanzCafe; and an elegant mirror withhand-etched manatees by Fine LineStudio Glass.

The auction will be continued as alive auction at the March 18 eventwith auctioneers Gil and Gail Ziffer. Ifyou do not attend the event but arethe high online bidder, you may con-tinue bidding by phone.

The music as well as every morselof delectable food, bottle of wine, raf-fle and auction prize has been donat-ed, so 100% of the proceeds fromthis event, auction and drawing bene-fit local orphaned, injured and sickwildlife at St. Francis Wildlife. It does-n’t get any better than this.

A Taste of Spain at Native Nurseries, 3-part benefit for St. Francis Wildlife By Sandy Beck

www.nativenurseries.com/atasteofspain.html

Native Nurseries co-owners DonnaLegare and Jody Walthall on theirboat. The couple is offering a sunsetcruise and picnic supper on the St.Marks River as one of 12 unique raf-fle prizes (See Page 3). All proceedsbenefit St. Francis Wildlife.

PHOTO/Vanessa Walthall

Winter 2012

P.O. Box 38160Tallahassee, FL 32315

850.627.4151

www.stfranciswildlife.org

Board of Directors

Laura Phipps, President

John L. Brennan III, Esq.Vice President

Elenita Gomez, Esq.Secretary

Brad ParkerTreasurer

James R. Kiser, Jr.

Heather Terhune, DVM

Teresa Colvin

Beverly Cresse

Kate Grosmaire

Andy Grosmaire

Full and Part-time Staff

DirectorWildlife Rehabilitator

Teresa Stevenson

Administrative AssistantPaula Boney

Wildlife Care TechniciansMichelle Osborne, Kelly Pollock, Daniela Castillo, Nancy Thomas

Wildlife RescuersAmy Darling, Nat Herrera,

Karalyn Aronow

HandymanCharles Baisden

Volunteer Staff

Education Director Newsletter Editor

Sandy Beck

Volunteer CoordinatorDonna Hansell

Web MasterRobbie Estevez

Wildlife Matters, Newsletter of the St. Francis Wildlife Association page 2

St. Francis Wildlife hospital staff, leftto right: Nancy, Teresa and Michelle(Kelly, Paula and Daniela not pic-tured).

850.229.0229www.electronet.net

Thank you from the bottom of our wild hearts for these donations, Oct. 2011 — Jan. 2012.

Because of space constraints we list donations of $100 or more; however, please know

that we appreciate every single donation. We apologize for any omissions or misspellings.

All Florida Media WorksW. AdolphCharles & Maureen

AlldredgeMalcolm & Susan

ArmstrongMary Jennings & Richard

BarthlowDr. Raymond BellamyCarolyn BernathRichard & Alecia BistLaura Higdon & James

BostickJean Ann BowlingRose BrantleyRose Marie BrantleyFrank & Janet BroenJames BrooksRon & Frances BrowerMichael BuchlerWalter & Deborah

BunnellDennis & Electra BustleCapelouto Termite & Pest

ControlLinda & Frank CarterPetina ClarkStephen & Billie June

ClarkTeresa & Alton ColvinGlenda & James ConleyKelly CraftBeverly CresseGail CrispAmy and Dee CrumplerCharles & Maxine DealPaul & Karen DensonJeff DodsonLaurie & Kelly DozierMargaret FeasterDebra A. FeeksLee Ann FerrisJulie FerrisFlorida Cable Telecom.

AssociationKay & Charles FlynnWilliam FontaineDavid & Deborah

FonvielleDr. Mike FrancisElizabeth GardnerGFWC Capital CityWoman's

ClubElenita Gomez & John L.

Brennan IIIRussell Grace (Eagle

Scout project)Kevin Grace (Eagle Scout

project)Judith GrahamCraig Shaw & Lynn

GriffinAndrew & Kathleen

GrosmaireBob & Dottie GoughKarin HamptonMichael & Judith HannaLinda HarkeyBrad HartmanEric HaugdahlAmy HausHaworth Charitable FundMrs. Alice & Gerald

HoneaBetty & George HuttonMelissa JacobyJohn Wesley Methodist

ChurchJerry & Susan JohnsBarbara JohnsonJessica JohnsonAndrew JonesDr. David & Dorothy

JonesPaul & Deberah KeithRae & Michael KellyRet. Col. James & Margie

Kiser

Rick KiserGordon & Melanie KleinBarbara KnowlesJoan KochKool Beanz CafeAudrey KuehlPatterson LambKristine LamontPat LawhonMichael & KarenLawrenceDave & Brenda LearElyse & James LinnLynne LiskaCharles & Frederick

MaddoxMargo MarvelJulie & Michael McBrideKim LikensLarry Peterson & Linda

McCarthyKeith & Becky McNeillJohn & Peggy McRaeMark & Lauren MilliganDoug & Isla MilnerCharles & Patricia

MitchellAnn & Don MorrowNative NurseriesKathy NewmanLarry NicholsNorth Florida Animal

HospitalJarret & Sharon OeltjenCarolyn OwenCeleste PaquetteBrad ParkerJanice & Jim PattilloEverall PerkinsDouglas PerryPhoenix Environmental

GroupJeffrey PhippsJohn PhippsAnne & Colin PhippsLaura PhippsPhilip & Mary PowellGeorge & Ruth Reynolds

IIIJohnny RichardsonRonald & Shirley RicknerHarold RimesAllene & Richard RobertsGloria RounsavilleBrenda RuttenDeanna SchlaudraffKay & Clay SchnitkerJohn & Claudia ScholzEugenia ScottKevin & Coleen SellersKathy & Kirt SenftFrances SheffieldWilliam & Evelyn ShelleyKatharine Gossman &

Pat SimmonsJennifer SindtDiane SlaughterRobert & Ashley SniffenElisabeth & Ray SpencerBrad SpringFred & Jane StandleyBruce StaskiewsCatharine Way & Brent

TaylorWalton & Betty TaylorTen Thousand VillagesHeather TerhuneWalter & Patty ThomasJacquelyn TribbleRev. Nancy Dahlberg &

CongregationJonathan & Tracey Van

HookJim & Ginger ViscontiDonna Legare & Joseph

WalthallRobert WeicheltKathy WeissWilliam Wertman

Mary WestSteven & BetsyWilkersonRichard & Jane WolfarthSamuel & Sallie WorleyFrederick Corpuz &Joanna

YaoNancy Linnan & James

YorkZiffer Stansberry

IN MEMORY OF

Ann GrosmaireFromAndrew & KathleenGrosmaire

Alice FinkFromRev. D.J. Silvernail

Dick & Keith CuretonFromMartha Cureton

Helen StaskiewsFromBruce Staskiews

Sandy StoutamireFromPat SimmonsKatharine GossmanSandy and Bob BeckJan Collier

IN HONOR OFGene & Ginny DensmoreFromJudith Mears

We gratefully

acknowledge

these thoughtful gifts

Sincere ThanksVeterinaryHospitals= Animal Eye Clinic= Bradfordville Animal Hospital= Mahan Animal Clinic= North Florida Animal Hospital= Northwood AnimalHospital

= Modern Mailers fortheir mailing services.= ElectroNet forhosting our web site &email.= COSTCO for donat-ing fresh fruits andvegetables every week.= DQP for discountedprinting services.= Post SearchlightPrinting, Bainbridge,GA, for discountedprinting this newsletter.= Stu Gash and AprilArrington for fixingthe SFW database!= Risa Green for hergenerous donations ofIV fluids, syringes and needles.= E. Spencer formedical supplies.= Candalee Jones forsewing a beautiful quiltfor our fundraiser.

We appreciate these localbusinesses, sponsors of

A Taste of Spain at Native Nurseries,

a benefit for St. Francis Wildlife.

CreatureComfortsPet Sitting

Anonymous Owl Lover

Winter 2012 Wildlife Matters, Newsletter of the St. Francis Wildlife Association page 3

Auction Item #1. An example of a pet portraitpainted by artist Simon Baxter.

The RaffleTickets — only $5 each

Enter the drawing for 12 unique prizes.On each ticket, note the number of the

prize you’d prefer.

Winning tickets will be drawn March 18, 2012, 7:30 pm, at the Taste of Spain Benefit

at Native Nurseries.Winners need not be present at the drawing.

Tickets Available at

Native Nurseries1661 Centerville Rd.,Tallahassee

Trail & Ski2743 Capital Cir NE, Tallahassee

Magnolia Café & Coffee House310 N. Main St., Havana

Rose’s Botanicals76 Market St., Apalachicola

or contact Sandy Becksandybeck@stfranciswildlife.org

Native Nurseries presents a

Raffle and Online Auction of unique items to benefit St. Francis Wildlifenativenurseries.com/atasteofspain.html

12 Raffle PrizesDetails and photos of all prizes atnativenurseries.com/atasteofspain.html.

1. Join Jody Walthall and Brian Bryson for ADay Sail on a Florida Sharpie, a traditionalsailing skiff designed for our shallow bays and barrierislands. For four adults or three adults and two chil-dren. Take a turn at the tiller, get some sailinginstruction or just relax and enjoy.

2. Sunset Cruise and dinner on the St.Marks River with Jody Walthall and Donna Legare.Cruise the St. Marks River from the town of St. Marksto the Lighthouse and enjoy a picnic supper at anchor.3. Three nights at Whispering Pines ofCape San Blas on Indian Pass for up to four peo-ple. 2 bed/1 bath bayside cottage w/ large, screenedporch, full kitchen, AC, TV and WiFi. Pets welcome.www.whisperingpinesofcapesanblas.com $300 value4. One night at the Turtle Beach Inn, PortSt. Joe, Enjoy beautiful Gulf views from large shad-ed porches and sun decks. Private entrance, privatebath and a Gulf view. A full breakfast is included.Florida DEP certified Green Lodging.http://www.turtlebeachinn.com $175 value

5. Two weeknights at The Old CarrabelleHotel includes breakfast. A circa 1880 historic innlocated in Carrabelle, FL, just two blocks from thewater. Explore nearby islands, 35 miles of primitiveriver and a one-mile walking trail at Tate's Hell StateForest, 1.5 miles NW of town. www.oldcarrabelleho-tel.com $160 value

6. On a Guided Tree Climb, enjoy an eagle’seye view of Lake Jackson. A personally tailoredadventure for one or two participants in good healthand physical condition. Ascend the tree using ropesand tree climbing saddles with the instruction andassistance of Timothy Roop, an ISA Certified Arboristand Certified Tree Climber Specialist. $300.00 value7. On A Hot Air Balloon Ride for two withTreehopper (pilot, Bill Armstrong) experience thebeauty and tranquility of floating above the country-side surrounding Tallahassee. This four-hour experi-ence begins with preparing the balloon for flight andends with a champagne party. $450.00 value 8. A Big Day of Birding for you and threefriends with local birder extraordinaire,Andy Wraithmell. From sunrise to sunset, visitsome of our area’s most special places such as TallTimbers, Wakulla Springs, St. Marks NWR and St.George Island to identify as many species as possi-ble. See more than 125 species; with favorableweather more than 150! limeybirder.blogspot.com9. Release a Raptor. There are few things moreinspiring than watching a hawk circle over an openfield or hearing a wild owl hoot at dusk. Be a part ofthis magical experience when you hold a rehabilitatedraptor in special gloves and set her free. Species,time and place will be decided by St. Francis Wildlife’srehabilitator.10. Gift certificate to Kool Beanz Café — topquality gourmet restaurant—it’s fun, it’s funky and it’sdelicious! "A great little restaurant..." The New YorkTimes. www.kool-beanz.co $50 value11. Gentle and Relaxing Massage withDonna Dillon, Florida Lic. Massage Therapist forover 25 years. http://sites.google.com/site/livelovelaughrelaxandenjoylife/home 12. Necklace, Bracelet and Earrings by ArtJewelry Designer, Quincie Hamby,quinciehamby.com. See this beautiful signature set atnativenurseries.com/tasteofspain.html. $230 value.

The AuctionThree pieces of original nature and animal

art by local artists are up for auction.Begin bidding online now.

3 Auction ItemsDescriptions and photographs, as well as directions

on how to participate on the above web site.

1. Simon Baxter, will paint a portrait of your petfrom your favorite photograph. Simon’s colorful ani-mal art graces the walls of brother Keith’s KoolBeanz Cafe. The high bidder will receive a 20" x 24"portrait of one pet, valued at $550.00.2. Brian Bryson, a talented artist who hasdesigned hundreds of custom garden ponds forNative Nurseries customers offers a framed 45.5" x15.5" paining of Mashes Sands, a beach that hasspecial meaning to many locals. This painting is cur-rently on display at Native Nurseries. 3. Robert and Tammy Derwick of Fine LineStudio Glass, finelinestudioglass.com, created anelegant, hand-etched mirror featuring our belovedmanatees, 24” x 36”.

The auction will conclude as a live auction at theMarch 18 Taste of Spain event at Native Nurseries.If you do not attend the event but are the highonline bidder, you may continue bidding by phone.

Raffle Prize #1 — A Day Sail

Raffle Prize #8 — See up to 150 bird species! Auction Item #3. Manatee Mirror by Fine Line Studio.

Winter 2012 Wildlife Matters, Newsletter of the St. Francis Wildlife Association page 4

Our unique wildlife education programs feature disabled birds of prey, mammals and reptiles

from St. Francis Wildlife.

850.528.0823

www.wildclassroom.net .

I know it’s really spring when I

hear my first Great Crested Flycatcherwhistling from the treetops (photobelow), see the graceful MississippiKites sailing overhead in pursuit offlying cicadas and grasshoppers andhear the buzz of hummingbird wingsin the garden.

Without having made the trip withtheir parents, each year juvenileRuby-throated Hummingbirds, weigh-ing just an eighth of an ounce, fly 500miles across the Gulf of Mexico, a 25-hour nonstop flight, to nest and raisethe next generation of their species inFlorida.

More than 200 species of birds thatspend spring and summer in NorthAmerica, nesting and raising young,head south during our winter. Theseare called “neotropical” migrants.

Why go to all the trouble? Why flyhundreds or thousands of miles?Because it’s too far to walk.

No, seriously. Why not just staywhere they are? Is it because theydon’t want to deal with cold weather –like the human snowbirds whomigrate to Florida every winter?

Not really. Birds have little downjackets to keep them warm, and mostspecies can adapt to frigid tempera-tures if there is an abundant foodsupply. Yep, it’s mostly about food.

The types of food that migratorybirds need, such as flying insects,caterpillars, worms, fruits and nectar,are hard to find beneath the snow.Birds migrate to follow the food sup-ply and to ensure breeding success.

The banquet of protein-rich foodthat Mother Nature serves up plusmore daylight hours to forage equalsthe ability to raise more young.Survival and reproduction are the twomost powerful driving forces for everyliving creature.

Creatures of habit depend onhabitat

Over many, many generations,species have become hard-wired toleave at a certain time and travel aparticular route that provides reliable

food, water and cover along the way.They also land in a specific habitat —the place that provides everythingthey need to survive and raise a newgeneration before making the returntrip several months later.

This is why it is so important tokeep these habitats, on whichmigrants have come to depend,intact.

If the lakeside forest that Swallow-tailed Kites have returned to everyspring for hundreds of generations issuddenly turned into 200 homes anda shopping mall, where do the birdsgo? After their long journey fromBolivia, the weary travelers need theirnest tree and swarms of cicadas andgrasshoppers — not a tidy backyardand multiplex theater.

Migratory bird populations faceother hazards such as collisions withwindows, communication towers, pes-ticides and outdoor cats.

Please, keep your beloved catsindoors. It’s heartbreaking whensomeone brings us a Great CrestedFlycatcher or hummingbird that justcompleted a heart-pumping trip ofhundreds or thousands of miles onlyto become the victim of a pet cat.

Help migratory birds, butterfliesand other species by supporting publicland acquisition programs and by con-serving and enriching natural habitat,one backyard at a time. Your back-yard is the best place for you to start.

Help wildlife avoid migration headache Story and photo by Sandy BeckCartoon thanks to Gary Larson

Wildlife Care Technician Kelly Pollockfeeds an orphaned baby white squirrel.These baby squirrels are not albinos;they don’t have pink eyes, but arealmost completely white with a smallblack patch on their head or back.

When St. Francis Wildlife received itsfirst batch of orphaned baby white squir-rels 10 years ago, in 2002, I began towonder where these furry anomaliescame from, so I paid a visit to TallahasseeMuseum’s Animal Curator Mike Jones, atreasure of local animal lore.

"Someone caught two white squirrelsin Sawdust, Florida, in Gadsden Countyand put them in a cage at the BreakawayLodge, a Sopchoppy hunting and fishinglodge built in 1938. In the 1960s, abanker from Crawfordville purchased thislodge. Around 1970, his wife offered us apair,” Mike said.

DEP biologist Dana Bryan, who studiedwhite squirrels in graduate school at FSU,told me that the Museum kept their firstpair in a cage.

“All the young in their litters werewhite, so it must have been the dominantgene. Eventually, the Museum released allthe white squirrels on their property.

“The population has endured, so theydon’t seem to be preferred by predators.”

Mike has noticed the Museum’s whiteoffspring around Lake Bradford and in acorridor moving northward throughTallahassee. He’s seen them at SabalPalm Elementary. I’ve seen them at LevyPark, near Raa Middle School.

White squirrels have also been reportednear Jacksonville since the 1940s. Thereare several small populations in CentralFlorida and one in the northern Keys.

Florida is not the only place gracedwith white squirrels. My sister has them inher yard in Flat Rock, North Carolina.Brevard, North Carolina and Exeter,Ontario celebrate their distinguished resi-dents with annual White SquirrelFestivals.

Keep your eyes open. White squirrelsmay be coming soon to a bird feeder inyour backyard.

Tallahassee’s whitesquirrels — where didthey come from?Story and photo by Sandy Beck

Thank you for all yourthoughtful notes, emails andFacebook comments!

Here are a few.

My husband and I wanted to thankyou for all of the help you give ouranimal friends. It is really a blessingto have a place to take injured oryoung animals to be nurtured.Thank you for all that you do.Sincerely,Philip and Mary Powell

I cannot thank you enough for yourquick response time after I calledabout the hawk. I did not know whatto do for him. I would like to followhis progress and be there when yourelease him.

Suzette Williams

I loved your newsletter!Nancy Bivens

Please accept this token of myextreme care, concern and respectfor St. Francis Wildlife, and pleaseknow that I send up prayers that allof you will be blessed with huge suc-cess in all your efforts to make adifference! With all my heart, Ibelieve in you all!Becky McNeill

Thank you for your example of serv-ice to the community.Rosemary PrinceVBS DirectorGood Shepherd Catholic Church

We really wanted to thank you forbringing all of the animals. None ofus have seen a Mississippi Kite soclose up. And that flying squirrelwas just adorable. We all wanted tosay thank you for coming, and welearned a lot.Students at the Holy ComforterEpiscopal School

Northern Florida is so fortunate tohave this wonderful dedicated groupof people.Louise Barker

Thank you so much for visitingBetton Hills. The children loved see-ing the animals. We want to makesure that you visit us again nextyear. Thanks again.

Linda MurrayBetton Hills Preparatory School

Winter 2012 Wildlife Matters, Newsletter of the St. Francis Wildlife Association page 5

Since June 2010, Kelly Craft hasvolunteered nearly every Saturdaymorning at St. Francis Wildlife (SFW).

Her love of animals and volunteer-ing just came naturally; Kelly grewup in Miami, surrounded by animals.

“We had salt water tanks with ababy lobster, a seahorse and variousfish. We also had a newly hatchedloggerhead sea turtle for a year thatwe eventually transferred to theMiami Seaquarium and laterreleased,” Kelly said.

“And, of course, we always haddogs and cats, and there was

Spencer the chickenand Jose the Guineapig.”

Before moving toTallahassee, she spenteight years volunteer-ing at Ocean ImpactFoundation in WestPalm Beach where sheassisted with the careof seabirds, songbirds,and various nativemammals.

“SFW is the largestwildlife rehabilitationcenter I’ve seen. I’mamazed that 3,500birds, reptiles andmammals pass throughour doors every year.”

When she is not atSFW, Kelly works as aparalegal. She and herhusband Anthony try tofit kayaking and camp-ing into their busyschedules

Visitors to the SFWcenter may havenoticed the hammocksand baby blankets inwhich many of ourorphaned and injuredbaby mammals aresnuggled or the lovelyprivacy curtains behind

which hawks and owls rest in the Birdof Prey Room. This is all Kelly’s hand-iwork, and they have comforted hun-dreds of animals.

If you have a sewing machine andwould like to sew up some comfort,directions for baby hammocks andblankets are on the right.

When she is not helping babies getoff the cage floors, she cleans andfeeds squirrels, opossums and rab-bits, helps with the reptiles and song-birds, and cleans the outside mews(flight cages), kennels and aviaries.

She also transports wildlife fromNorthwood Animal Hospital. Her pas-sengers are often an array of song-birds, bats, flying squirrels, ducks,other mammals, and, of course, birdsof prey – all of various size, age andmedical condition.

Kelly’s favorite “chore” is to helpcare for and feed the fawns.

“On my second week at SFW, Iheard what sounded like a four-yearold screaming in the next room.When I went to help, I found threestaff members working on a kickingand bleating tiny fawn that had beenhit by a car.

“I had no idea this fragile lookingtiny fawn, with the longest eyelashesI had ever seen, could be so strong.”

The orphan was treated for hisinjuries and raised until he was oldand strong enough to be released.

“I really enjoy seeing the fawnsgrow in size each week during babyseason. It's a delight to watch themplay with each other in their pen. It'salso very rewarding as a SFW volun-teer when the fawns and other ani-mals are released, and they can liveon their own in the wilderness wherethey belong.”

“St. Francis is a very well-runorganization, and the staff and othervolunteers are such a pleasure towork with. I highly recommend it toanyone who loves nature andwildlife.”

Instructions for Kelly’s wildlifeblankets and hammocks

We need lots of baby blankets andhammocks for the hundreds oforphaned babies we raise betweenMarch - October. If you have a sewingmachine, please consider makingsome. Then take them to our wildlifehospital or drop them off atNorthwood Animal Hospital, with anote indicating that they are for St.Francis Wildlife. Please be sure to giveus your name so we can thank you!

Baby Wildlife BlanketsFabric: FlannelPreferred Sizes: 8” x 8” up to 24” x24” (squares or rectangles)Directions: Sew the blankets 2-sided,similar to a “pillow case.” Once theblanket is turned inside-out, top-stitchthe entire blanket around all 4 edges.Then top-stitch an “X” over the entireblanket. (See drawing, but omit cor-ner loops).

Wildlife HammocksFabric: Flannel or corduroy.Preferred Size: 16” x 16”.Directions: Same as for baby blan-kets; however, each of the 4 cornersshould have a 2” loop sticking out ofit made of cord or other type of strap-ping. Thesetabs will beused to tiethe ham-mocks intothe cages.(See draw-ing.)

Above: Kelly Craft holds a squirrel in one of herbaby blankets. Right: Another squirrel settles infor a nap in one of her wildlife hammocks.

PHOTOS/Sandy Beck Volunteering at St. Francis Wildlife isfun and rewarding!No previous experience nec-essary — just a love forwildlife and a willingness tolearn new things and workhard. To directly care for ani-mals you must be at least 18.Learn more and read aboutvolunteer opportunities at stfranciswildlife.org or callVolunteer Coordinator DonnaHansell at 850.627.4151.

Volunteer Spotlight

Kelly Craft, naturally creativeBy Pat Simmons

Hannah and Emma Bryson raised$64 for St. Francis Wildlife duringthe holidays by selling longleafpinecones at Native Nurseries.

Photo/Brian Bryson

Volunteers fromthe United Churchin Tallahassee col-lected donations ofcash, bird seed, tow-els and dishes for theanimals at St. FrancisWildlife and presentedthem to wildlife caretechnician MichelleOsborne at ourmonthly Open House.

“On behalf of themembers and friendsof United Church inTallahassee, it is myhonor and pleasure toprovide you with thischeck for $300 to support the work you do for Florida’s wildlife and the ani-mals that enrich our lives so wonderfully,” wrote their Pastor, ReverendNancy L. Dahlberg. Photo/Donna Hansell

Kevin Grace, Troop 115, built thisbeautiful raptor flight cage for hisEagle Scout Project.

Winter 2012 Wildlife Matters, Newsletter of the St. Francis Wildlife Association page 6

BARRED OWL, Continued from Page One

Loren said, “My art teacher (FranKautz) told me, ‘Why don’t you getthose printed on cards and sell them?’So I started drawing even more —herons, egrets and woodpeckers.”

Mike Hunter, a graphic designer atOffice Depot on Capital Circle NE anda longtime supporter of St. FrancisWildlife, helped Loren create thecards.

Loren has sold her cards at herschool, church, our wildlife hospitaland one Saturday at Native Nurseries.So far, she has raised more than$650 for “her owl” and the other wildpatients at St. Francis Wildlife.

The Barred Owl she and her familyrescued is well on his way to beingfree once again. When all talons arefully regrown we will return andrelease him in his own territory.

Loren’sNoteCards

Packagesof 10 dif-ferentcards —thisBarredOwl andnine otherbirds —are avail-able for a$5 donation to St. Francis Wildlife.To purchase these beautiful cards,please contact Loren’s mom, KimScott, at jfskls@comcast.net.

Help owls and otherbirds that may be injuredor killed by flying into andbecoming entangled in soccerand volleyball nets.

Lower or furl nets aftereach use and remove themduring the off-season.

Triplets Emily, Morgan and AJ learnabout owls at our Owl-O-Ween partyat the Downtown Marketplace.

Volunteer Andrew Colvin taughtvisitors about St. Francis Wildlife’swork at our table at the AlternativeChristmas Market.

St. Francis Wildlife out-reach education programsand public events promoteawareness, appreciationand understanding ofnative wildlife.

Atilla, who says he wants to be anornithologist when he is older(although his mother is hoping fora plastic surgeon!) is thrilled to beable to photograph Cedar, a non-releasable Barred Owl at ourJanuary owl program at NativeNurseries.

(left) Sandy Beck and Daisy, a non-releasable opossum, teach studentsat the Preschool at Evening Rosethat opossums are amazing, adapt-able animals with opposable thumbsand with very soft fur.

Volunteer Margie Grussing helpedchildren create owls from recycledmaterials at our Owl-O-Ween partyat the Downtown Marketplace.

2012 Wild Classroom GrantWinners

St. Francis Wildlife is pleased toannounce the five winners of our2012 Wild Classroom Grant, madepossible by the Suzanne E. PlesciaEndowed Education Fund, establishedby Dr. Louis W. & Elizabeth N. Bender. Each classroom teacher will receive afree wildlife program for up to 50 students.

Ashana Hopson, Sealey ElementaryKaren H. Benjamin, Astoria Park

ElementaryLisa Johnson, Roberts ElementaryShari Magee, Kate Sullivan

ElementaryKristi Kessling, WT Moore Elementary

Volunteer Pat Simmons and Bubo,our non-releasable Great HornedOwl teach young visitors aboutowls’ spectacular nocturnal adapta-tions at the Downtown Marketplace.

Sandy Beck and Bubo, a disabledGreat Horned Owl. PHOTO/ScottHolstein, Tallahassee Magazine

Sandy Beck honored by the GirlScout Council of the FloridaPanhandle

Sandy Beck, St. Francis Wildlifeeducation director, was recognized asthe 2011 Woman of Distinction in theEnvironment category by the GirlScout Council of the FloridaPanhandle. The Awards Ceremonywas held November 3 at the HotelDuval.

The council serves 6,000 girlsacross 19 counties with more than100 troops.

Other winners were Paula Fortunas— Health, Adrian Fogelin — Arts &Humanities, Dorothy Binger —Education, Judge Nina AshenafiRichardson — Government, Kelly O’Keefe — Law, Mary Ellen Kias —Media, and Allison Tant Richard —Youth and Social Services.

Accepting the award, Sandy Becksaid, “For the last 22 years I’ve hadthe privilege of living, learning andworking closely with beautiful wildbirds and animals and of being ableto offer children the opportunity toobserve and learn about these beauti-ful creatures up close through ourWild Classroom.

“It’s an honor to be recognized bythe Girl Scouts, an organization thatteaches girls the importance of friend-ship and commitment — and helpsthem fall in love with our wild world.”

Rose, our disabled Screech Owl,was the cover girl for TallahasseeMagazine’s Jan./Feb. 2012 issue.

PHOTO/Scott Holstein

Until one hasloved an animal,a part of one'ssoul remainsunawakened.

Anatole France

Early in life the wobbly-legged fawn protects itself frompredators by hiding rather thanfleeing. A mother deer willleave her fawn alone and feedelsewhere so that predators arenot attracted to the helplessbaby (fawns do not have ascent). She will return to nursetwice during the day.

So if you approach a fawnand it does not flee pleaseleave it alone. The mother ismost likely out of sight, but nearby and watching you. A doe will never aban-don her fawn unless she has been injured or killed.

If the mother has been killed, do not attempt to raise the fawn yourself. CallSt. Francis Wildlife.

These two fawns were rescued and raised at St. Francis Wildlife this pastfall. One was found near its dead mother. The other had been chased andinjured by a dog. When they were five months old, wildlife rehabilitator TeresaStevenson and wildlife care technician Michelle Osborne transported them inlarge air kennels to Ayavalla Plantation and released them in safe habitat.

Winter 2012 Wildlife Matters, Newsletter of the St. Francis Wildlife Association page 7

In the three years I have beenvolunteering at St. Francis Wildlife, I have learned so much.

I also work at the Ft. BradenSchool. I try to share with the chil-dren my love for the animals thatare cared for and about work of St.Francis Wildlife. They have learnedabout the hospital and particularlythe rescuing and raising oforphaned grey squirrels.

The students responded byspending hours collecting acorns,one by one, to feed our littlefriends during the fall and wintermonths.

As one kindergartener approached me, she reached in her little pocket. Thelittle girl pulled out three acorns and asked, “Mama B, will you feed these tothe baby squirrels?” That touched my heart so much and I made sure thoseacorns were included in my delivery.

My husband and I made a video of the squirrels eating the acorns in theircages inside the hospital and in the outside squirrel half-way house, “SquirrelHaven,” to share with some of the classes so they were able to see how impor-tant and enjoyable their efforts have been.

Thank you, Ft. Braden SchoolBy Cindy Baisden

Donation Form Mail To: St. Francis Wildlife Association

P.O. Box 38160, Tallahassee, FL, 32315

Name__________________________________________________ Date_________

E-mail Address_________________________________________________________

Home Address_________________________________________________________

City_______________________________ State_______ Zip Code___________

How would you prefer to receive our quarterly newsletter, Wildlife Matters?

____ I prefer to have a printed copy of Wildlife Matters mailed to my home.

____ I prefer to read it on-line. (It is a large PDF file)

Please check the appropriate boxes and return this form with your tax-deductible donation.

Donor Levels: cChickadee $35 cBunny $50 cBluebird $100 cScreech Owl $250 cFox $500

cGopher Tortoise $1,000 cFawn $2,500 cPeregrine Falcon $5,000 c Bald Eagle $10,000

Please contact me about: c Volunteering c Education Programs (Winter 2012)

Your donat ion he lps loca l w i ld l i feYour tax-deductible donation to St. Francis Wildlife ensures that we’ll be

only a phone call or a short drive away when you find a baby bird in youryard or when you see an injured fox on the road.

We’ve been doing this for 34 years. We are the largest and mostrespected wildlife rehabilitation facility in north Florida, but we can’t do itwithout your help. Please renew your annual support for St. FrancisWildlife today by sending a check with this Donation Form (on right) or bymaking a secure online donation with PayPal at www.stfranciswildlife.org.

For your tax-deductible donation, you will receive: our Wildlife Mattersnewsletter and the satisfaction of helping local wildlife unable to care forthemselves.

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROMTHE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800.435.7352) REGISTRATIONDOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. St. Francis of

Assisi Wildlife Association, Inc. Registration #: CH4537.

Oh, deer, I found a fawnStory and photo by Sandy Beck

As we deepen ourimprint on the natural world,

we increase our responsibility for it.

E. O. Wilson

Elementary students at Ft. BradenSchool collected acorns on their campusto feed orphaned squirrels at St. FrancisWildlife.

St. Francis Wildlife behind-the-scenes tourGet a close-up look at wildlife rehabilitation. We invite you to

take our “behind the scenes” tour, the first Saturday of everymonth, from noon to 1 p.m. Visit our wildlife hospital and outdoorrefuge, meet our staff and volunteers and learn how to help localwildlife.

Our 36-acre wildlife refuge is four and a half miles northwest ofHavana. Directions are on our web site, or call us at 627-4151.

CREATURE COMFORTSSITTING SERVICE

LYNNE L. L ISKA(850) 222 9282

P.O. BOX 3603TALLAHASSEE, FL

323153LREAL@EARTHLINK.NET

10th Annual

WILDLIFE BABY SHOWER

Saturday, April 14, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Downtown Marketplace, Ponce de Leon Park

Park Ave. & N. Monroe

This spring and summer, St. Francis Wildlife will receive more than 1,500 orphans. Wild babies need huge quantities

of special foods and around-the-clock feedings.

YOU CAN HELP!Please look at our Wish List on Page 8 for items we need, or donate a

GIFT CERTIFICATE to Panhandle Pet Supply.The good people at PPS give us a deep discount, and your gift

certificate enables us to buy what babies need, when they need it.

We also appreciate gift certificates to Native Nurseries, Wild Birds

Unlimited, Target or any home improvement store.

Of course, cash donations are wonderful too.

Meet and learn about the remarkable members of our Wlld Classroom education program: OWLS, HAWKS, FALCONS, KITES,

OPOSSUM, GOPHER TORTOISE AND SNAKES.

Orphaned red fox kits raised at St. Francis Wildlife last spring.

Wildlife Matters page 8

St. Francis WildlifeAssociation

P.O. Box 38160Tallahassee, FL 32315

Non-ProfitOrganization

U.S. POSTAGE PAIDTallahassee, Florida

PERMIT NO. 50

If youfind sick,injured ororphanedwildlife

You Can

= Call us at 850.627.4151

= Take it to our wildlife hospital, 4 miles NW of Havana, between 9 am and 5pm – directions at www.stfranciswildlife.org

= Take it (day or night) to theNorthwood Animal Hospital, 1881 N.Martin Luther King Blvd., Tallahassee (justnorth of the Post Office).

Important Information

= Transport wildlife in a warm, dark boxwith holes punched in the lid. Keep it quiet,and handle it as little as possible.

= NEVER give it food or water.

= NEVER handle raccoons, foxes, bats orany mammals (even babies) that could carryrabies. CALL US. Squirrels, opossums andrabbits are uncommon rabies vectors.

= When calling to report an animal injured on a road, note exactlywhere it is (“1.4 miles west of exit 27 on thenorth side of I-10”) and, if possible, leave amarker, such as a towel tied to a tree limb.

For more information about wildlife rescue:

www.stfranciswildlife.org

The best little spot in Tallahassee

to store your stuff

2424 Monticello Dr.850-385-7266

2701 N. Monroe Street,

Tallahassee, FL 32303

850-385-5141

www.nfah.vetsuite.com

Panhandle Pet SupplyPanhandle Pet SupplyThe Experts Who Love AnimalsThe Experts Who Love Animals

Three Locations

3661 N. Monroe Next to the Post Office

1700 N. Monroe Across from Lake Ella

400 Cap. Circle SE

Wildlife MattersEditor and Layout

Sandy Beck

Writers, Photographers and ArtistsBob Beck, Sandy Beck, Cindy Baisden,

Brian Bryson, Teresa Colvin, Donna Hansell, ScottHolstein, Loren Scott, Kim Scott, Pat Simmons,

Teresa Stevenson, Vanessa Walthall

ProofreadersLouise Barker, Barbara Barnett, Bob Beck

PrintingPost Searchlight Printing, Bainbridge, GA

Mail ProcessingModern Mailers, Tallahassee, FL

This newsletter of the St. Francis Wildlife Association ismailed to our supporters. It is also available at local business-es and online at www.stfranciswildlife.org.

To place a business ad or to send letters to the editor,email: sandybeck@stfranciswildlife.org.

THE GARDENS AT ESPOSITOS • 531-9001Mon-Fri 10-7 • Sat 10-6 • Sun 12-5

Serving Tallahassee for 30 years

OUTDOOR ...Backpacks • Tents Sleeping Bags • Rentals

TRAVEL ...Travel PacksRolling LuggageSecurity Pouches

CLOTHES ...For all seasonsUPF Clothing

FOOTWEAR ...Boots • SandalsTrail Shoes

Gift CertificatesPanhandle Pet Supply onN. Monroe, NativeNurseries, Wild BirdsUnlimited, Target, andhome improvement storessuch as Stones, Lowes andHome Depot.

Animal Care= Heating pads, withoutauto shut-off= 10-gallon aquariumswith tops= Humane live traps= Unfrayed baby blankets,T-shirts, sweatshirts, pil-lowcases, top sheets, tow-els—no buttons, zippers orelastic. = Reptile heaters and full-spectrum lights.

Maintenance= Carpenters to build andrepair cages = Lumber, plywood, nails,screws, tools= Hardware cloth

Animal Food = Raw, hard-shelled nutssuch as walnuts, pecans= Unsalted peanuts in shell= Black oil sunflower seed= Wild bird seed = Keet seed = Cat & dog food (dry,canned)

= Baby food: only fruit,vegetables, chicken (nobeef or fillers like noodles)= Yogurt, plain or fruit= EXACT powder (babybird formula)= ESBILAC powder (puppyformula) = Worms & crickets, live ordried= Deer pellets= Happy Horse pellets= Waterfowl Maintenancepellets= Waterfowl Starter Mash

Cleaning Supplies= Paper towels= Laundry detergent, liquid = Bleach, unscented = Heavy-duty 39-gallontrash bags= Dawn dish soap= Pine-sol= Odoban= Brooms= Scotch-brite heavy dutyscrub sponges

Medical Supplies= Alcohol= Calcium= Cotton balls= Cotton bandages= CVMD dressing= Hand sanitizer= Insulin syringes – 1 ccor 30 units (29G, 30G)

= Laboratory equipmentfor fecal and skin scraping= Sterile needles for injec-tion – 27G, 25G (1/2 inchlong, 3/4 inch long ormore) from 1 cc to 100 cc= Penlights= Q-tips= Sterile gauze= Surgical gloves= Surgical instruments= Tegaderm= Johnson and Johnsonwaterproof tape= Tissue adhesive= Vetwrap

Office Supplies= Binders= Dry-erase markers= Plastic clipboards= White printer paper= Pens, pencils, Sharpies= Scissors= Cellophane tape= Sticky notes

Big Wishes= Redmon Precision PetScale is $80 + shipping(www.redmonusa.com) = Incubator= Golf cart= Generator= Riding lawn mower= Homeopathy kit ("30CRemedy Kit" is $100 +shipping)= Automobile GPS

Wildl i fe Wish ListPlease drop off items at our wildlife rehabilitation center (directions at stfran-

ciswildlife.org) or at Northwood Animal Hospital, 1881 N. MLK Blvd., Tallahassee.Please include a note with your name so we can thank you!

"We need the tonic of wildness."

Henry David Thoreau