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Annapolis Creative Donna L. Cole is an award-winning journalist, bird of prey rescuer and U.S. Navy veteran. Annapolis Creative / Donna L. She's also a bird of prey rescuer.

Cole focuses on the people, places and natural resources around the Chesapeake Bay.

Holy moly - 40 years of hosting Wheel of Fortune. What an amazing run. Congrats to my former boss and fellow veteran, Pa...
06/06/2024

Holy moly - 40 years of hosting Wheel of Fortune. What an amazing run. Congrats to my former boss and fellow veteran, Pat Sajak! Wishing him a wonderful retirement.

Call for guidance with tornado-displaced wildlife.
06/06/2024

Call for guidance with tornado-displaced wildlife.

Blue Angels school excuse note. !
20/05/2024

Blue Angels school excuse note. !

Remember everyone - it is Commissioning Week and you should be prepared for:- People driving the wrong way around Church...
19/05/2024

Remember everyone - it is Commissioning Week and you should be prepared for:

- People driving the wrong way around Church Circle
- People stopping in the middle of Church Circle
- People driving in all lanes of Church Circle at the same time
- People driving on the sidewalks around Church Circle

And please don't bring up State or Westgate circles. It's just best to avoid all traffic circles in Annapolis until next Monday.

Visitors might need POLITE help pointing out that they're going the wrong direction on Duke of Gloucester and/or Prince George streets. And though this might be terrifying to you to encounter this as you're driving in the right direction, try to remain composed and polite.

We're Annapolis - we've done it before, we'll do it again and we'll get through it.

There is no way of knowing if the peregrine falcon that was rescued from the water by the Baltimore District, U.S. Army ...
23/04/2024

There is no way of knowing if the peregrine falcon that was rescued from the water by the Baltimore District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is one from the bridge, but there is some good news about that bird from Owl Moon Raptor Center.

When the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after being hit by a ship in March, a home and birth place for peregrine falcons for almost four decades was lost. “The peregrine falcon pair that …

Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot - if you still have DDT or Carbofuran, it’s an excellent time to safely get rid ...
25/03/2024

Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot - if you still have DDT or Carbofuran, it’s an excellent time to safely get rid of it. 🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅

22/03/2024

Per Annapolis Rec & Parks, after speaking with federal and state authorities, it was reportedly decided they did not break any laws, they did not harass the ospreys, until osprey season is over they will not be doing work in the area of the nest and the video was taken down. It was replaced with a still photo of someone wearing an osprey costume standing directly under the nest.

A parks department should be setting an example for environmental stewardship - this is the exact opposite of what the A...
20/03/2024

A parks department should be setting an example for environmental stewardship - this is the exact opposite of what the Annapolis parks department has done with flying a drone over an occupied osprey nest then sharing it on social media.

Flying a drone near an osprey or any federally protected bird nest is against federal law – it’s considered harassment and can cause the birds to permanently leave their nest. The city …

You know you’re in South County when …The eagle was rescued today with help from the Chesapeake Mermaid. Thanks to all w...
03/03/2024

You know you’re in South County when …

The eagle was rescued today with help from the Chesapeake Mermaid. Thanks to all who helped, as well as the original caller to Owl Moon Raptor Center. The bird was transported to Phoenix Wildlife Center, Inc.

Photo credit to Rylan Cole.

If you have any information that can help investigators, please let them know. This happened not far from Bombay Hook Na...
01/02/2024

If you have any information that can help investigators, please let them know.

This happened not far from Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information regarding the shooting of a bald eagle in Clayton, Delaware, in violation of federal laws. The bald eagle is federally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

Crazy.
23/01/2024

Crazy.

The bald eagle that we rescued on December 21 at The Golf Club at South River was successfully rehabilitated at Owl Moon...
05/01/2024

The bald eagle that we rescued on December 21 at The Golf Club at South River was successfully rehabilitated at Owl Moon Raptor Center and released today back at the golf course.

It had a sprained elbow and no lead poisoning.

Thanks to everyone involved!

07/12/2023

We know this is uncomfortable to see, but we've opted to share it with the hope that by doing so, we might save the life of even one bird. This is an adult Bald Eagle grappling with the effects of acute lead poisoning. The eagle was discovered grounded on a roadside, displaying injuries consistent with a collision with a vehicle. As a natural scavenger, the eagle likely ingested lead, possibly from a carcass or gut pile containing lead ammunition. Elevated blood lead levels compromised the eagle's central nervous system, affecting its perception and coordination and likely contributing to the vehicle collision.

Due to the bird’s untreatable shoulder injury and compromised mental function, we made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize the Bald Eagle. This choice was taken with heavy hearts, but it was the most compassionate course of action to end the eagle’s prolonged suffering. This bird would never fly free in the wild again, nor would it be able to live comfortably in captivity.
Lead poisoning is entirely preventable. Opting for non-lead ammunition could be the key to saving a life. We encourage you to share this message with your fellow hunter friends to promote awareness and encourage the use of non-lead alternatives.

This is a story that started January 1, 2021 when I happened on an oil spill in the Annapolis harbor. While I'm hoping t...
30/11/2023

This is a story that started January 1, 2021 when I happened on an oil spill in the Annapolis harbor. While I'm hoping the FBI will do something too, I'm just really glad Maryland has finally acted on it.

Anyone who has been solicited by the Louisville Naval Museum, Inc., the P-520, or the Veterans Heritage Foundation, or any representative on behalf of this organization, is encouraged to contact Investigator Robert Gurley with the Charities and Legal Services Division at 410-260-3859 or [email protected].

Following complaints from multiple people to state officials in Maryland, as well as an article published on this site in January, the Louisville Naval Museum has been ordered to stop soliciting in…

FYI
02/11/2023

FYI

When they're a 10 but they eat with their mouth open.

We spotted this stunning immature bald eagle feeding on a deer. Always use caution when driving near roadkill - eagles often take longer to take flight after a large meal.

📷 Courtney Celley/USFWS

The Arabber. Photo I shot in 2018. Corner of Howard and Saratoga, Baltimore.
14/10/2023

The Arabber. Photo I shot in 2018. Corner of Howard and Saratoga, Baltimore.

11/09/2023
Wearing hoodies is not a criminal offense. Period.
19/08/2023

Wearing hoodies is not a criminal offense. Period.

“What have you done when you see these kids walk around with hoodies on with the heat index of 100 degrees?” asked Annapolis Police Chief Ed Jackson during an August community update. H…

See bottom of article for update to this story first published back in February.
16/08/2023

See bottom of article for update to this story first published back in February.

Following a January inspection at the Lusby residence of Carole VanWie, 72, who is a permitted wildlife rehabilitator, Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) executed a search warrant at her home …

I was called about concerns for the welfare of a juvenile green heron in Edgewater just before sunset yesterday. After s...
10/08/2023

I was called about concerns for the welfare of a juvenile green heron in Edgewater just before sunset yesterday.

After speaking with Suzanne at Owl Moon Raptor Center and because one of the bird’s parents was nearby, it was decided to put the baby back in a nearby tree.

Although I’ve rescued a fair amount of birds (mostly raptors), this was the first baby green heron I’ve met. I can tell you with certainty they are ridiculously cute.

Do you remember the eagle rescue from June that started on Defense Highway and ended up on the South River - the one tha...
04/08/2023

Do you remember the eagle rescue from June that started on Defense Highway and ended up on the South River - the one that took almost all day?

The Dodo did a story about it. The bird still has some swelling around its eyes and continues to receive treatment at Owl Moon.

Thanks again to Owl Moon Raptor Center, Anne Arundel County Police Department and Arundel Rivers Federation.

He needed help.

13/07/2023

Like human teenagers that decide they’re ready to leave home when they’re not quite ready, this juvenile osprey was rescued from the South River yesterday by Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks rangers. Thanks to the rangers for calling Owl Moon Raptor Center. I met them at Carrs Wharf and got the bird. Volunteer transporter Kristine S transported the bird yesterday and it was given the clearance for release today. Volunteer transporter Barbara G transported it back today and she was able to see the release too.

The osprey was flying fine today and will be reunited with its parents.

Owl Moon always appreciates donations (including wish list items) - https://owlmoon.org/home/donate/

This may be updated should more information be provided.
07/07/2023

This may be updated should more information be provided.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed the deaths of two people in separate, boating-related incidents in Anne Arundel County. Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) responde…

If you’re on an every three month schedule with changing your HVAC filter, you might want to consider every 6 weeks due ...
30/06/2023

If you’re on an every three month schedule with changing your HVAC filter, you might want to consider every 6 weeks due to the smoke/air quality currently. If you haven’t changed yours in a while, change it now and again in six weeks.

27/06/2023

Video courtesy of Owl Moon Raptor Center featuring the eagle rescued Sunday. The eagle was initially downed on Rt 450/Defense Highway.

Owl Moon greatly appreciates donations - https://owlmoon.org/home/donate/

The day began with a friend calling me about a bald eagle hit by a vehicle on Defense Highway. Anne Arundel County Polic...
25/06/2023

The day began with a friend calling me about a bald eagle hit by a vehicle on Defense Highway. Anne Arundel County Police Department Officer Logan Lechowicz responded. He actually found the eagle with little to go on as far as where it was, then helped with traffic control. The eagle kept going down towards the river making it impossible to get through thick brush and a heck of a lot of brambles. I decided to call off the rescue by land and try it from water. I contacted Elle Bassett, our South, West and Rhode Riverkeeper (Arundel Rivers Federation). Elle suggested calling John Flood, an Arundel Rivers Federation board member, because the Riverkeeper boat is having some work done.

John was eager to help and we went up the South River in his boat. We immediately found the eagle but after chasing it around through the thick brambles, it went into the river, hopped onto a downed tree and took off flying across the river. By this time, I was getting overheated and further stuck in bramble. I made a choice to go up to the road, rather than back to the boat because I was worried about heat related issues. Officer Lechowicz brought his car back to me, put the AC on high, I got in and he drove me to a better place to meet John by boat.

I went home, took my second shower of the day and was feeling much better when I got a call from Owl Moon Raptor Center. Chris Marshall, a kayaker, saw the eagle in the phragmites across the river. John and I decided to go back after it. This time we were successful. I couldn’t have done this without John. And we wouldn’t have found the bird again if it weren’t for Chris. The bird wouldn't have been found had it not been for AACPD Officer Lechowicz.

The eagle is on its way to Owl Moon Raptor Center, thanks to volunteer transporter Mary E.

And I’m resting.

17/06/2023

DEAF MERMAID TEACHES CHILDREN ABOUT WILDLIFE USING SIGN LANGUAGE 🐠🌸 Let the Chesapeake Mermaid be your guide through this educational and magical journey with our NEW coloring and activity book! 🎨📚 This captivating adventure in an A-B-C format features 120 pages of stunning illustrations of wildlife and their habitats, all hand-drawn by the award winning artist of our storybooks. 📖 What makes our coloring book truly special is its inclusion of sign language! 🤟🌈 The Chesapeake Mermaid, being deaf herself, encourages everyone to learn sign language and promotes inclusivity. Discover a whole new way to communicate with the world! Available now on our website: ChesapeakeMermaid.com/shop 🧜‍♀️🌿🌊🐠 PrintNinja

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Like human teenagers that decide they’re ready to leave home when they’re not quite ready, this juvenile osprey was rescued from the South River yesterday by Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks rangers. Thanks to the rangers for calling Owl Moon Raptor Center. I met them at Carrs Wharf and got the bird. Volunteer transporter Kristine S transported the bird yesterday and it was given the clearance for release today. Volunteer transporter Barbara G transported it back today and she was able to see the release too. The osprey was flying fine today and will be reunited with its parents. Owl Moon always appreciates donations (including wish list items) - https://owlmoon.org/home/donate/

Video courtesy of Owl Moon Raptor Center featuring the eagle rescued Sunday. The eagle was initially downed on Rt 450/Defense Highway. Owl Moon greatly appreciates donations - https://owlmoon.org/home/donate/

Thanks to Owl Moon Raptor Center for rehabilitating this beautiful, red-tailed hawk - I rescued it in January in Cape St. Claire. And much thanks to Naval Support Activity Annapolis for providing the release site. It was a perfect afternoon for the release, along with my fellow rescuers Angela and Nancy. For more information about Owl Moon Raptor Center, visit www.owlmoon.org

I'll be broadcasting live from the U.S. Naval Academy today at 2 on WNAV leading up to the Blue Angels narration of their show! You can hear us on 1430AM, 99.9 (in Annapolis), streaming on the WNAV app or on http://wnav.com.

Yesterday, I was tagged on a post by well-meaning people about two eagles downed in Bethesda. This was likely the result of a territorial fight where the birds lock talons and fall from the sky. The post already had at least one comment from a person that works for a licensed rehabilitation facility and lots of others who tagged rehabilitation facilities. I was unavailable and didn't see the post until at least an hour after it was made. In a later comment on the post, the original poster said the eagles untangled themselves and both flew off. The best thing to do is the give the phone numbers for a couple of rehab facilities closest to the area the bird or birds are in and if it's an eagle, the phone number for Maryland Natural Resources Police too. Here's a list of phone numbers (it includes all licensed rehabbers in Maryland and Maryland Natural Resources Police). I suggest making a shortcut for it on your phone or computer - https://mwrawildlife.org/referral-directory/ Video of two bald eagles having a very important conversation.

Annapolis - this is a Sandhill crane. This is not a bird you would normally see in Annapolis or Galesville. However, this bird does not seem to know that. It was seen in Galesville for about three weeks, then it decided to come to Annapolis. This bird knows how to fly and it should fly to where sandhill cranes are prevalent now and where it could be doing things like breeding. Because the community where this bird was at today was concerned and in consultation with Phoenix Wildlife Center, Inc., I was able to encourage it to fly. It flew away but I can't guarantee it won't come back. If you see it, please do NOT give it food or water, keep pets away from it and humans should keep a distance. The sandhill crane is a federally protected bird. If you see it and are concerned about its safety, call Phoenix Wildlife Center or Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Much thanks!

Do you remember yesterday and the day before with temps in the 60s? Be careful out there - even in your own yards.

A lot of cool things happen on the Chesapeake. Like this. This was cool - very, very cool. And it happened two years ago this week. My original vid here - https://youtu.be/3_fhWh-ayE8

Thanks to the successful rehabilitation of this barred owl by Owl Moon Raptor Center, it got its freedom back this evening. Volunteer Rescuer Nancy McDonald, who also happens to be a veteran, did the release in Lothian, where this owl is from.

Had enough yet? If not, here with some clips of the Blue Angels show today.

Commissioning Week
Commissioning Week

There's just no other week like this one in Annapolis and I'm not just talking about how hard it is to safely navigate our traffic circles due to out-of-town guests (who we love). Welcome to commissioning week 2021! Remember to tune in for the Blue Angels narration on WNAV on Wednesday. You can hear this on 1430 AM, 99.9 FM or on the WNAV app on land or on the water. Bill Lusby and I will be broadcasting live from the U.S. Naval Academy - I'll be providing a lot of information about the Blue Angels, their history, the aircraft, etc. The U.S. Naval Academy is closed to the public. Boaters - all the USCG information you need is here - https://homeport.uscg.mil/Lists/Content/DispForm.aspx?ID=67914&Source=/Lists/Content/DispForm.aspx?ID=67914 Video from 2019 show. #FeelTheThunder #GoNavy #USNA #BlueAngels

Barred owlet renesting
Barred owlet renesting

This is how I spent my morning. A huge thanks to H.E. Brady TREE Service for their benevolence in doing this today. Also, big thanks to Natalie Woodard for the donation of the nest box. And to Owl Moon Raptor Center - they depend on donations to keep doing the incredible work they do.

A shot on Cinco de Mayo
A shot on Cinco de Mayo

Happy Cinco de Mayo to all! Hope you have a wonderful day today. I wanted a shot today and got one. It wasn't tequila though.

Flight conditioning at Owl Moon Raptor Center
Flight conditioning at Owl Moon Raptor Center

Got to see and do something pretty cool yesterday at Owl Moon Raptor Center. Flight conditioning is how wild birds practice getting their flight skills ready so they can be released from rehab. Owl Moon Volunteers Nancy McDonald and Mike Fulkerson worked two, red-tailed hawks on Friday morning.

America Strong
America Strong

Annapolis Nest
Annapolis Nest

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Donna L. Cole is an Associated Press and Society of Professional Journalists award-winning multimedia and investigative journalist. She hosts the “1430 Connection,” a weekly radio show on WNAV.