Today was the Penn State Master Gardener's Symposium. This is a once a year seminar that lasts one day. We make this one of the spring beginnings for the season each year.
Each year they have a number of speakers to talk about gardening from designing to vegetable garden and more. This year we heard from experts and doctors in their field for perennials, vegetable gardening, native gardening and we also had a local wild animal expert visit us.
Jack Hubley is a licensed falconer, with several licenses to keep and maintain several birds of prey. He often does shows mostly for children, trying to teach about the wildlife in this area and how they impact us and the gardens. I must admit he was the highlight of the day especially when he came with several of his animals.
He first showed us a skunk. He was trying to tell us how incredible they were when they weren't skunk pie in the middle of the road. And admittedly, I thought his skunk was actually delightful. This one was born a captive critter and had been desented at a very young age. Being born a captive critter, to be left in the wild it would become instant prey for the skunk's arch enemy (yes, there is an animal that will actually eat them).
He also brought us his red-tailed hawk. This little lady was hit by a truck on Route 30 some eight years ago when she dove after a meadow vole and into the path of the truck. A passing motorist saw the accident and called the Dover Wildlife Rescue and stayed with her until they arrived to rescue her. Her right wing was permanently damaged so her days as a free bird are no longer. She now visits schools and functions such as this one to show folks how magnificent her species truly is.
He also showed us the skunk's arch enemy - the Great Horned Owl. I know this bird as I see them at night around the house, especially when the baby rabbits leave the nest. Here he is showing the comparison size of the eyes of both human and Great Horned Owl. Not only do they eat rabbits, but cats and skunks. If you love your cat, you keep it in the house at night.
He showed us his male peregrine falcon. He did say this boy was a prima dona and the bird proved it every time Jack opened his mouth, the bird spoke up even louder. He told us about the birds and how they've been multiplying nicely, their numbers increasing annually - but not as good as the eagles. He also discribed the flight abilities of these birds and how impressive they are.
He also showed us a 6' black rat snake, a very common snake in this area. This is a snake you often see sunning itself stretched across the less traveled roads around here. Even though they aren't poisonous, I'd still rather keep my distance and allow them the respect they need.
He also showed up the white footed mouse (field mouse as we call them here) and the meadow vole, two of the most hunted animals on the planet. For being so tiny, these creatures are the corner stone of all predator life here.
The whole talk he was moving through the audience with his animals and only one person left the room when he got the snake out. The rest of us gardeners were able to handle all the mice, voles, snakes, skunks, and birds of prey he presented to us and could even appreciate them.
All in all, the day was incredible and well worth the money and the time. It started at 7:30 AM with coffee and breakfast and then a nice meal for lunch. It ended a little after 4PM because we decided to keep Jack Hubley and his animals a bit longer. It was a fun day and very enlightening. I look forward to next year already.
