05/08/2025
Hi Everyone.We hope that you are all keeping well.I wanted to share a little bit of a story with you all.Back in 2018,I was travelling on my way to my friend Kevin's house,who lived out near Pearson Airport.I was on Hwy #403 near Dundas Street/Hwy #5,when I saw a large white object off to the side of the highway.As it looked to be about 2' long,at first,I had thought perhaps it was a white plastic trash bag someone threw out.After seeing ruffling the way the wind was blowing past it,I then thought maybe it was a seagull or another feathered object.Something told me to go back & after I went around for the 2nd time,I stopped,only to find it was a beautiful snowy owl,that had been struck & killed by an automobile.It had most likely swooped down after something on the highway & had rolled off whatever hit it & had died at the side of the road.It had a broken wing & leg,but otherwise he looked like it was dozing with his eyes half opened.Upon seeing him,with his beautiful white & black feather pattern with yellow eyes,I knew I couldn't just leave him there.He would have gotten eaten,rotted or crushed.Our daughter Chelsey,used to work at H & M and we had one of their large plastic shopping bag in the van,which the owl fit into with room to spare.I took him home & placed him in our freezer.As it is a bird of prey & considered an endangered species,I immediately contacted the Ministry of Conservation & Forestry,to have it registered,in hopes of getting it taxidermied,so as to give him "new life".I then contacted Mountsberg Conservation Area where they have a number of injured raptors (hawks,owls & eagles) that due to their injuries,will not be able to return to the wild.They also have numerous taxidermied birds of prey on display,so I inquired if they could please refer me to whomever did their birds.I spoke with Lara Butt,who is their Senior Department Supervisor for Raptor Care & Programs.She was kind enough to give me a few names of taxidermists,but when I contacted them,due to these being Federally protected,those people had said no,despite my having the necessary paperwork.After this setback,I figured I would just keep him in the freezer,until I could locate someone to do the work in preserving him.Years go by & my wife Betty goes to look for something in our freezer,opens up the bag containing "Snowy" & instead of looking inside,figured she would just put her hand in the bag & feel what was inside.Feeling feathers was not at all what she expected to find in the bag.Needless to say,it was time to start looking again at getting "Snowy" a new life & OUT OF OUR FREEZER.I then contacted Jim Jackson,on Thursday,January 9,2025,who lives in Hamilton & whom has a long history of not only doing beautiful taxidermy work since the 1970's,but also along with wood carving,Jim has won numerous awards for his amazing work in both fields.I met with Jim & the first thing he asked for was the necessary paperwork from the Ministry of Conservation & Forestry,which I had brought with me.This is the Confirmation of Registration/Notice of Possession form,showing that "Snowy" was registered & the Notice of Possession was in my name.Even dead,it is illegal to possess a bird of prey without this necessary proof of possession,which is very important to know & follow.When I brought him to Jim,Jim immediately fell in love with the appearance & condition of "Snowy".Despite having at least 20 other projects to do before me,as these aren't birds that are seen often here in Ontario,I think as soon as I had dropped him off,Jim,set about working on him,building the foam insert.I had the idea of having him mount Snowy on birch wood,to match his coloring.I was able to go out & locate some downed Birch trees to get for this & Jim worked his magic.Jim had him finished for me on Friday,January 17,2025,a mere 8 days after dropping him off.As Jim was facing & has now had successful heart surgery,I held off posting this,as I didn't want to have him overwhelmed with phone calls or inquiries,until he was healthy again.I heard back from him today & he says he is doing great.I now present to you all,the completed & stunning "Snowy",looking like he is waiting to take flight once again.Thank you all.Take care & stay well,Jeff.
