Apollo Has Landed!
June 20, 2009 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Tracy Simpson Reports:
We have lift off!! At approximately 4pm today, the first flight off of the nest ledge was our dear little Apollo ( I just knew he would be first! ). He made all attempts to reach the hydro tower to the east and was maintaining altitude fairly well until he actually reached the lower teir of the tower. Due to the misting rain that had been falling all day, the tower was unexpectedly slippery for the young fledgling to get a good grip, so off he went again around to the north side of the building. He finally came to rest on a ledge two stories below the one he had just left. His two siblings were above on the nest ledge watching while the chick ( Apollo ) walked back and forth on this smaller window ledge and even had some pictures taken of him from inside! With mom close by encouraging him, juvenile Apollo was in the air once more. He came around to the east where he tried to get back up to the nest ledge, doing what we call “the bat” ( clinging on and flapping ) a few times before finally losing altitude and coming to the ground. A great first try!! Bruce Massey walked over and scooped up the juvenile just as I pulled up with the rescue box. We took a quick once-over to make sure he was alright ( he looked fantastic! ) before placing him in the rescue carrier and escourting him to security. He now sits in a dark, quiet and safe place until this evening when Bruce and I will put him back up on the roof of the nest building. Stay tuned… …”Part 2; The Release” to come!!