Linda's Canadian Adventure

Het minnekhada park

Thanks for the toque Carolien!

These surroundings remind me of Holland, agriculture, canals. Except for the backdrop with the mountains.

My immigration process is almost completed. My passport is on its way through Berlin and Maasdijk. The much wanted visa is in it, and that has to be transfered into a permanent resident card. From that moment forward I’ll be equal to a Canadian and all other immigrants and I can finally work. The Wildlife Rescue Association will be hiring me full-time so I can get to work right away. I volunteer over the last two years and I get more and more tasks. I will be the volunteer coordinator and will be training new volunteers. A nice position because I’ll get to know a lot of interesting people. This is just a fraction of the work, I’ll also be a wildlife rehabilitator.

This is my work space when I’m working at the computer, view of the lake, I could do worse…

Last week we released two Tundra Swans. They were brought in weak back in November. These swans were exhausted by the migration and possibly injured by a vehicle, they werea little wounded. It took awhile before they could eat and walk properly. They didn’t came in together, but they are flock animals and they feel very lonely by themselves. They would only eat when put in front of a mirror. When they were strong enough they were moved to an outside enclosure together with their own swimming pool and they loved it (I think). Shaw television thought this was a good story and came out to film the whole thing. It will be broadcasted early February.

Andy and I carry the kennels to the car

We drove to the Reifer Bird Sanctuary that has a lot of birds. A flock of swans is also in the area, hopefully they’ll find each other.

They rush toward the water.

There they go! This is the most fun part of the work we do, it is wonderful to see them go, all healthy and strong.

Last week we had a partial power outage and we can’t use a lot of electricity. The heating is not working so it freezing cold. Too cold for most animals so I took two home. A Rock Pigeon and a Spotted Towhee. Mike has named them Barney and Mr T. Barney the pigeon got the bathroom for himself during the day so he can fly around a little.