ADVENTURES OUTSIDE THE BOX: Pelican Release

I have witnessed so many good people in this world doing so many selfless good deeds over the last couple years. Usually I've been on the receiving end of the hospitality of others, from long hitches in the middle of nowhere to receiving full on deluxe gourmet meals and/or accommodations while on my thru-hiking adventures. There's no exception of generosity at the Wildlife Center of the North Coast where today I volunteered for the third time since being at the farm. http://www.coastwildlife.org This is a non-profit that operates completely by donations and its wonderful volunteers to rehabilitate injured, sick, orphaned and displaced native wildlife with the goal of releasing healthy, viable wildlife back into their habitat. Pretty amazing group of people that I've enjoyed getting to know, doing truly amazing selfless work!

Today was a special occasion at the Wildlife Center as they were planning on a Pelican release, which I absolutely wasn't going to miss. The whole procedure involved catching the Pelicans in their very large 150' long flight cage, weighing and taking wing and bill measurements and vitals, placing them in the carrying crates, driving to the coastal release location (Chinook, WA...just across the OR border on the other side of the Columbia River), and setting up to release the Brown Pelicans for a seamless comfortable experience for the birds. It was pretty awesome being able to handle such a magnificent bird up close!

It all went very well and this ended up being one of the Wildlife Center's largest Pelican releases, we successfully released 12 beautiful & healthy Brown Pelicans. A very exciting and unique experience for sure.

Enjoy the pics!