Every time Nicholas Albright — a park ranger at Gifford Pinchot State Park in York County, Pennsylvania — would close the park gates at the end of the day, he'd hear the same great horned owl call out. "This owl was always hooting every night," Albright said. "It was just one of those little things that you always look forward to." Albright would sometimes see the owl dart from tree to tree. Though he wouldn't always spot the bird every day, he'd certainly hear her. "She's very vocal," he said.
One day in August, Albright found the owl in a difficult situation. She was on the ground in broad daylight. Even when concerned park visitors came close to her, she remained still. "At that point, you know something's wrong," Albright said. Determined to help the owl, he got in touch with Raven Ridge Wildlife Center (RRWC), a nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation organization. RRWC agreed to take in the owl. But first, Albright had to capture the bird.
"I was pretty nervous," Albright said. "They're really intimidating up close." He threw a blanket over the owl and placed her in a cardboard box. Then he drove the bird to the rehabilitation center. During the 40-minute car ride, the owl didn't make a peep.
"He just had this look of sadness when he brought the owl to us," Tracey Young, founder of RRWC, said of Albright. "He just thought, 'This owl's just not going to make it.' The owl wasn't very feisty, which is uncommon for a great horned owl," Young said.
Young, who is a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, said the owl was severely dehydrated and emaciated. She was a young owl, who hadn't quite perfected her hunting skills yet. Young shared: "Ranger Albright said, 'You know, I'm really bummed. I hope the owl makes a full recovery because I know where this owl perches and hangs out, and I see her a lot.'" The team at RRWC gave the owl fluids and, slowly, food. The bird gained weight and grew stronger each day until she was practically bouncing off the walls in her flight pen.
After about two months of care and rehabilitation, it was time for the owl to return home. Young relayed the good news to Albright. "I was pumped up," Albright said of the owl's recovery. Young had another surprise for Albright. "He didn't know we were going to have him release the owl," she said. Considering Albright's role in rescuing the owl, Young thought that it was fitting to have him do the honors of setting the bird free. "If he hadn't found her, she would've died," she said.
Young and Albright met at the location where the owl was originally found unmoving on the ground. Albright was excited to play a part in the bird's next chapter. He opened the cage door, and the owl lingered for a while, staring at Albright. "It was the most prolonged eye contact I've ever experienced," he laughed.
Finally, the bird flew off.
"It was a big difference from the last time I saw her, when she didn't want to move or anything," Albright said. "She just took off perfectly."
For Albright, the release was a full-circle moment that he won't forget. "It was really rewarding," he said.