Rev Debbie saves turtles
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turtlegirldebbie.bsky.social
Rev Debbie saves turtles
@turtlegirldebbie.bsky.social
730 followers 2K following 260 posts
Ecospiritual minister, shamanic healer, wildlife rehabilitator and educator, nonprofit founder, Pagan, Druid, grad student, vegan, probably feeding the squirrels

Trying to preserve the magic of biodiversity on Earth 🌎
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turtlegirldebbie.bsky.social
I got a break from the madness yesterday when our regional wildlife rehabilitator member organization did public outreach at a mall. I held friends' educational birds while I talked to human people and my face hurts today from smiling.

#AmericanKestrel #CommonRaven #falcon #corvid #FindJoy
Me wearing a green North Country Wild Care hoodie and a goofy smile, looking at the slate and brown American kestrel sitting on the glove on my hand, looking back at me. Kestrels are small falcons. This one is blind in one eye after hitting a car and unable to hunt on his own. He is missing flight feathers on the visible wing but that happened in captivity and they are growing back. Me in a green hoodie with my name on a name tag in a selfie with a black common raven I am holding. She is perched on a glove out of frame. The raven is looking towards the camera. Her name is Melina and she became an educational ambassador after being hit by a car and breaking both wings and both legs. Her bones healed, but there is lingering weakness that prevented her return to the wild. She does educational programs and is also an animal actor. She has appeared in a number of TV shows and movies, including The Pale Blue Eye, a Netflix movie about Edgar Allen Poe.
February 23, 2025 at 12:05 PM
turtlegirldebbie.bsky.social
Low light so the release pictures sucked but I got to release the barred owl I helped rehab the other day, a highlight in an otherwise challenging week.

#druidsky /|\ #wildliferehab #adirondacks
A barred owl sitting on top of a wooden owl box in a space loosely paneled with wood planks and a wire fence ceiling under the rafters. A barred owl perched momentarily on the edge of a cardboard box with wings lifted, ready to fly off.
February 15, 2025 at 11:39 PM
turtlegirldebbie.bsky.social
Scenes from out back because my professor said feeling oneness with the more-than-humans helps us feel as one with other humans, too. Not gonna lie, really struggling with that at the moment.

#backyardwildlife #adirondacks
A barred owl sleeping on a tree branch. She is far away and blends well with the snow covered trees around her. An eastern grey squirrel eating in a hanging platform feeder with snow on the edges. The evergreens in the background are also snow covered A white-breasted nuthatch perched on the edge of a hanging platform feeder and reaches his open beak towards a nut on a pile of seeds and nuts in the middle of the feeder. The edges of the feeder and the trees in the background have snow on them.
February 7, 2025 at 9:37 PM
turtlegirldebbie.bsky.social
Trying to find soothing activities besides screaming into the void. Nice of the chickadee to help out. He pecked my finger before choosing his breakfast, though. Maybe it was a complaint about all the screaming.

#backyardwildlife #adirondacks
Black capped chickadee perched on my fingertip. My arm is outstretched and there is a pile of seed in my palm. The bird's head is turned so he can look at me with one eye. Black capped chickadee perched on my fingertips with his beak aimed at the tip of my index finger just before he pecked it.
February 6, 2025 at 7:14 PM
turtlegirldebbie.bsky.social
Yes
Headline from The Guardian with NASA, which is an acronym for National Aeronautics and Space Administration, in which NASA is written with a capital N and small a, s, and a
February 6, 2025 at 2:31 AM
turtlegirldebbie.bsky.social
Hey, guess what! He's doing more of what he said he's going to do. Now I have to worry about the future of Pell grants and federal student loans, which were making it possible for my kid to be an undergrad while I'm in grad school.

(Screen shot because the video clip includes the fascist.)
Screenshot of MSNBC video post. The post says "BREAKING: The White House is preparing an executive order to eliminate the Department of Education, per two sources to NBC News. The image is of the news anchor and the breaking news ticker showing the same headline.
February 4, 2025 at 5:14 PM
turtlegirldebbie.bsky.social
Had a visitor today, watching the feeders. Of course right as I got zoomed in she turned her head and took off.

#barredowl #backyardwildlife #adirondacks /|\ #druidsky
A barred owl sitting on a branch among snow covered trees near the deck railing, and just below the level of a hanging platform feeder at the top of the frame. She is facing me but her head is turned away.
February 3, 2025 at 10:14 PM
turtlegirldebbie.bsky.social
I'm done calling and emailing my senators (my rep is about to be UN ambassador so she's even more useless than she was). Now I'm appreciating the tenacious chickadees.

#backyardwildlife #adirondacks
Black capped chickadee sitting on the edge of a hanging platform feeder full of seed. There is some snow on the feeder and the trees in the background are snow covered. Black capped chickadee sitting on the edge of a hanging platform feeder filled with seed. The background is completely white due to snow covering the roof below the feeder.
February 3, 2025 at 5:01 PM
turtlegirldebbie.bsky.social
My owl friend went to another wildlife rehabber today to get a week in her flight cage before release.

Then we celebrated Imbolc with a group of eclectic Pagan friends.

It was a nice day. Then I checked the news. Sigh.

#wildliferehab #pagansky #druidsky /|\ #barredowl
A barred owl sitting on top of a wooden box in a raptor flight cage with wood slat walls and wire mesh on the ceiling under the roof. This large structure provides a safe place for raptors who are recovering from injuries to rebuild their flight muscles and practice hunting before release.
February 2, 2025 at 2:04 AM
turtlegirldebbie.bsky.social
The opossum had a good visit with the wildlife vet. He has a sore jaw and swelling, but nothing is broken. He's thin, typical for winter when food is hard to find, so I have orders to fatten him up before release. Spoil an opossum? Can do!

#wildliferehab
Virginia opossum standing in the back of a pet crate next to a blanket. He has some dried blood stuck to the side of his face and red-tipped ear that is likely frostbit.
January 31, 2025 at 3:00 PM
turtlegirldebbie.bsky.social
There was a line for breakfast this morning. We are supposed to get more snow today so everyone is filling up early.

#druidsky /|\ #backyardwildlife
An American red squirrel sitting in a hanging platform feeder barks at a blue jay perched on the next feeder, which looks like a wooden patio chair. A second blue jay looks on from a branch behind the squirrel. An eastern grey squirrel walks down a thin branch. The branch is bare, but evergreens in the background are dusted with snow.
January 31, 2025 at 2:53 PM
turtlegirldebbie.bsky.social
Did I hear it's my year?!?

#snake #herps 🐍 #kingsnake #yearofthesnake
Rescued Florida kingsnake named Solstice peeking his head out of the bark substrate into the middle of some silk leaves from his hiding place under his water bowl. Solstice is a leucisitic morph with pale yellow and lavender coloring.
January 31, 2025 at 2:48 PM
turtlegirldebbie.bsky.social
I'm a wildlife rehabilitator and educator, so many. Currently have a barred owl, a Virginia opossum, and a bunch of turtles in care. I'm part of a rehab network that includes some folks with raptor ambassadors and when we do events I get to hold them.

#aplomadofalcon
Me holding an aplomado falcon wearing ankle jesses on a gloved hand. Aplomados are small falcons native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, and most of South America.
January 29, 2025 at 10:49 AM
turtlegirldebbie.bsky.social
Beautiful beings enjoying breakfast at the feeders on a cold morning.

#druidsky /|\ #backyardwildlife
Black capped chickadee perched on the edge of a hanging platform feeder looking sideways at a pile of seed Eastern grey squirrel standing on his back feet and stretched up with his front feet on the edge of a hanging platform feeder. His nose is in the feeder where there is a pile of seed and nuts.
January 28, 2025 at 2:47 PM
turtlegirldebbie.bsky.social
Lux, an African sideneck turtle, wanted to share her smile with you this morning.

#herps 🐍🐢 #turtlerescue
A small turtle with a long neck looking towards the camera with large eyes. Her beak shape gives her a permanent smile. She is underwater in a tank with a sand and gravel bottom, in front of a plastic plant.
January 28, 2025 at 2:15 PM
turtlegirldebbie.bsky.social
After eating a soft-food hospital meal, grooming all the dried blood off his fur, and getting another dose of pain meds, my new opossum friend is sleeping soundly. The U.S. govt is shit right now, so I am finding hope in the recovery of this strange little being.

#wildliferehab
A Virginia opossum resting on his back on in an animal crate, partially on a blanket.
January 28, 2025 at 2:11 PM
turtlegirldebbie.bsky.social
I was facilitating an online Shamanic #Reiki training over the weekend and got a call right after our Saturday session ended about an #opossum who needed help. From his injuries I'm guessing he was hit by a car. Got himself up to eat tonight, an improvement.

#wildliferehab
A Virginia opossum in a pet crate with a blanket wadded up in the back corner. He has some dried blood on the side of his snout and he is looking down at a container of pureed food.
January 28, 2025 at 3:38 AM
turtlegirldebbie.bsky.social
Was quieter out there this morning. A bit warmer so maybe less of a rush to eat. Glad to see the red breasted nuthatch at the feeder. I haven't spotted him for a few weeks.

#druidsky /|\ #backyardwildlife #adirondacks
Eastern grey squirrel sitting on a deck rail between two hanging platform feeders, eating seeds from his front paws. A mourning dove on a branch. A red breasted nuthatch perched on the edge of a hanging platform feeder. The picture was zoomed in so he is a bit out of focus.
January 24, 2025 at 2:56 PM
turtlegirldebbie.bsky.social
Just a couple of the magic beings having breakfast here this morning.

#druidsky /|\ #backyardwildlife #adirondacks
Eastern grey squirrel eating in a hanging platform feeder Blue jay holding a nut in his beak while perched on the edge of a hanging platform feeder
January 23, 2025 at 2:01 PM
turtlegirldebbie.bsky.social
Scenes from the basement:

L: healing painted turtle has thoughts on the state of the world (me too, turtle)

R: two non-releasable painted turtles (larger is permanently disabled, smaller is retired classroom turtle) joining the education team in spring

#herps #turtles #wildliferehab
Midland painted turtle laying on a float in a tub of water that reflects the light overhead. Her neck is extended and her head is resting on the float. She has one front foot covering her head as if to shield her eyes from the light. Two painted turtles basking together on a rubber door mat supported by a PVC frame. The smaller of the two is resting on the shoulder of the larger.
January 22, 2025 at 4:24 PM
turtlegirldebbie.bsky.social
Busy morning in the feeders. It's -5F (-20C) so I put extra breakfast out for my backyard friends.

#druidsky /|\ #backyardwildlife
Three squirrels in three hanging platform feeders, eating, while two blue jays look on from a branch. A blue jay perches on the back of a patio chair watching three squirrels eating in platform feeders hanging from the deck rail. Another blue jay looks on from a tree in the background. White breasted nuthatch picks a nut from a pile of bird food in a hanging platform feeder
January 22, 2025 at 2:01 PM
turtlegirldebbie.bsky.social
He has a headache and refuses to feed himself, so I'm hacking dead mice into pieces and hand feeding him, in case you thought #wildliferehab was glamorous or something.

#barredowl
The head of a barred owl with one eye partially closed, looking needy
January 22, 2025 at 4:08 AM
turtlegirldebbie.bsky.social
Okay, Bluesky, who is doing research on freshwater turtles and climate change? Please help us connect so I can improve my nonprofit's public outreach programs.

(Eastern mud turtle for attention.)

#climatechange #turtle #herps #freshwaterturtle #wildlifebiology #lakeecology
Eastern mud turtle mostly hidden in mud and duckweed, with just her face visible above the water and dirt. She has a piece of duckweed stuck to her nose. Kept under educational license for endangered species in New York.
January 21, 2025 at 2:34 PM
turtlegirldebbie.bsky.social
Today is National Squirrel Appreciation Day. Please appreciate the only squirrel who braved the cold and showed up for breakfast.

#druidsky /|\ #backyardwildlife
A grey squirrel sitting on a hanging platform feeder with an expression of annoyance at being disturbed for a picture. There is a thin layer of snow on the deck rail and the table in the foreground, and bare trees in the background.
January 21, 2025 at 12:59 PM
turtlegirldebbie.bsky.social
Ugh, today. I'm protecting my energy by not engaging with the news. Instead, giving my attention to the absolutely perfect squirrels out there.
Grey squirrel sitting on a deck railing, eating. His fluffy tail is straight up and his front paws are to his mouth. The railing has a thin dusting of snow.
January 20, 2025 at 1:02 PM