A Marshy Rescue

 

It was a typical summer visiting day at Aspen Valley. Hundreds of parents, wide-eyed children, smiling couples and our foreign friends from places all over the world sauntered around the Sanctuary viewing creatures most people don’t have the chance to view up close. Animals will sometimes arrive during this time as well but this was a rescue. Between our road and the village of Rosseau, a family spotted an injured Blue Heron that had been attacked or struck by a car. With a net and blanket in hand Tony and I rushed to catch him. The family had come with us and with a little searching he was spotted way in the middle of a very nice marsh. The net won’t work with all the shrubs in the way and not knowing how deep it was I grabbed the blanket and with an eager plunge, in I went.

 

It was deep but I could still touch. The bottom was mushy and slimy and I could feel reeds tickling my feet. The water was refreshing on this hot summer day but the scratching of the marsh shrubs on my legs was quite unpleasant. I think my only thoughts besides the Heron was the number of leeches that I was going to get.

 

The beautiful Blue Heron was definitely injured. But the fear of me getting closer drove him deeper into the marsh. I continued to pursue him, getting deeper and deeper and farther and farther from the waiting spectators. Finally after 20 minutes of hide and seek I trapped the Heron in a thicket of shrubs. I carefully wrapped the blanket around him and the injured wing and waded my way back to dry land.

 

The family was so pleased that they had done their good deed. We said our thanks and rushed the Heron back to the Sanctuary. Being soaking wet I was leery about getting into Audrey’s new car but she of all people wouldn’t worry about the seat over the Heron. Back at the Sanctuary we examined the wing. It was unrepairable. He had been hit by a car and the wing was dead. He would now call Aspen Valley home. With the otter living here we already had a fish supply and as injured at the Heron was he instantly started to eat. A good sign. Obviously the rescue wasn’t too traumatic for him and I walk out with no leeches. That is what I call a successful rescue.