Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A • S U M M E R 2 0 1 6 80 Yet, he makes it through another night and his prognosis improves with every day. A week later the staff is calling him "Miracle Bird." I visit him at the Raptor Center in Bozeman. When I arrive, Becky is about to feed him his first solid food: raw songbird flesh, raptor sushi. She asks if I would like to feed him and I cannot refuse. We enter the intensive care portion of the refuge. He's in a large cage, the door covered to protect him from light and activity. She opens the door and steps back so I can see him. He is still too weak to perch so he is lying on his side on Astroturf, head down. A bowl of water is nearby. He must try to drink on his own now that the IV has been removed. "ere you are, my beautiful boy," I say spontaneously. He raises his head and looks right at me. For the first time I see his penetrating eyes. ere is no doubt in my mind, he recognizes my voice. Tears sting my eyes and my heart pounds. is bird is going to make it. I offer him some bits of meat but he's not ready. He has a long journey ahead. Eric joins me for my next visit three weeks later. Our bird has graduated to a much larger accommodation, a space the size of a living room with a perch on each end so he can begin to exercise his wings. He eyes us curiously but is not yet willing to show off for us. Because the accident has not caused him an injury that will prevent him from hunting and because he is young and resilient, Becky tells us he is a good candidate for release back into the wild. is is very welcome news! He will still need time to grow stronger, ultimately graduating to the flight barn. As we leave, Becky asks us if we would like to be part of his release. She really doesn't have to ask. On October 13th, two months after we found him by the side of the road, he makes the 80-mile return trip to Gardiner, Montana, in a dog kennel. My home, less than a quarter mile from Yellowstone National Park and about 10 miles from where he was found, is well within the limits of his range. I have the honor of opening the ken- nel to return him to his home. He backs out, a little awkward, but he manages. He flies to the fence, pauses briefly then perches on a large boulder just on the other side. He stops, looks back at us well- wishers, lifts off gracefully, and takes flight up the Yellowstone River. I watch him as long as I can, until he disappears into the park. It isn't often that a human life and a wild one touch as closely as his and mine. A touch of miraculous some would say. e best miracle of all is that this bird's story has a happy ending. He remained wild and I will always carry the memory of the encounter close to my heart. (406) 580-0284 1946 Stadium Drive, Suite 2 Bozeman, MT 59715 massagebozeman@gmail.com www.originsbozeman.com www.schedulicity.com Origins M A S S A G E & B O D Y W O R K Cheryl McDonald, LMT Therapeutic Deep Tissue Massage • Sports Massage Relaxation Massage • Prenatal Massage "Post foot surgery, I was unable to enjoy my activities like tennis and running. After seeing Cheryl regularly I am back on the courts and running in races again." - C.G. "As a competitive triathlete and runner, I feel I improve my performance and can train harder (without nagging pain) since seeing Cheryl for regular sports massages." - M.L. • 25 years combined experience massage therapist & personal fitness trainer • Licensed and insured

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