Hidden under a sheet was a Great Blue Heron that had a not-so-great encounter with a fish hook. The neighbors named him "Peter" and after 2 weeks of intensive care he was about to be released.
People in the Shore Acres area of St. Petersburg noticed a huge gash in his neck, making it difficult to keep food down. Volunteers from the new Suncoast Bird rescue group trapped him and made sure he got proper vet care.
In the same yard where he was captured, homeowner Diane Nicola opened his cage. The Heron peaked out, and a second later, his large wings took him away.
"It has been almost since Christmas that this poor bird hasn't gotten substantial nutrition. And he looks great, and he's honking. And he's flying and it's just a great experience," said Nicola.
The "Suncoast Bird rescue" group is just getting started, picking up after the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary stopped taking in new birds because of financial problems.
"It's an absolute necessity because if we didn't create Suncoast Bird Rescue, birds like Peter, they stand no chance" said group founder, Robin Vergara.
Neighbors who watched the Heron suffer for so long, plan keep tabs on him, as he flies in and out of their back yards. "It's a good day. I'm glad to see the final result. I'm glad that he's doing really well," said neighbor Lisa Thompson.
Alert neighbors, and caring bird lovers resulted in giving a great blue heron another chance.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:59 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:59:54 GMT
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring. Numerous customers of Pompano Beach-based Nationwide Pools contacted 8
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:50:46 GMT
Sheriff Al Nienhuis would like to verify that the Hernando County Sheriff's Office is currently working on one of hundreds of very ambiguous leads in the Jennifer Odom Homicide.
Sheriff Al Nienhuis would like to verify that the Hernando County Sheriff's Office is currently working on one of hundreds of very ambiguous leads in the Jennifer Odom Homicide.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:20:38 GMT
Three Bartow High School students are accused of breaking into the city middle and high school. Police said they began investigating a series of school burglaries on Monday. Investigators said the
Three Bartow High School students are accused of breaking into the city middle and high school. Police said they began investigating a series of school burglaries on Monday.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:19 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:19:20 GMT
Polk County Volunteer of the Year Corey "Ralph" Cowart will soon enjoy another special honor. The Tampa Bay Rays have invited the 30-year-old to throw out the first pitch at an upcoming home game.
Polk County Volunteer of the Year Corey "Ralph" Cowart will soon enjoy another special honor. The Tampa Bay Rays have invited the 30-year-old to throw out the first pitch at an upcoming home game.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:59 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:59:54 GMT
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring. Numerous customers of Pompano Beach-based Nationwide Pools contacted 8
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 2:46 PM EDT2013-06-18 18:46:51 GMT
Chrysler says it has resolved its differences with the government and will recall older Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs that could be at risk of a fuel tank fire. Earlier this month the company refused
Chrysler says it has resolved its differences with the government and will recall older Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs that could be at risk of a fuel tank fire. Earlier this month the company refused
Tuesday, June 18 2013 1:09 PM EDT2013-06-18 17:09:00 GMT
Fewer U.S. adults are smoking, a new government report says. Last year, about 18 percent of adults participating in a national health survey described themselves as current smokers.
Fewer U.S. adults are smoking, a new government report says. Last year, about 18 percent of adults participating in a national health survey described themselves as current smokers.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 1:17 PM EDT2013-06-18 17:17:54 GMT
A military widow wants to know why another woman's name is engraved on her husband's headstone. The woman discovered the mistake while visiting her husband's grave at Fort Logan Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.
A military widow wants to know why another woman's name is engraved on her husband's headstone. The woman discovered the mistake while visiting her husband's grave at Fort Logan Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.
Tuesday, June 4 2013 7:25 PM EDT2013-06-04 23:25:23 GMT
A 72-year-old Myrtle Beach man was charged after police said he ran over a duck and her ducklings on purpose with his BMW. According to a police report, Robert Allen Willard
A 72-year-old Myrtle Beach man was charged after police said he ran over a duck and her ducklings on purpose with his BMW. According to a police report, Robert Allen Willard
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:54 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:54:00 GMT
An image displaying what appears to be a pair of hairy legs has gone viral on the web. According to Buzzfeed.com, the image was first spotted on Sina Weibo, a popular social media website in China. The
An image displaying what appears to be a pair of hairy legs has gone viral on the web. According to Buzzfeed.com, the image was first spotted on Sina Weibo, a popular social media website in China. The
Monday, June 17 2013 6:40 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:40:17 GMT
The Vigo Importing Company has been bringing exotic products to Tampa for years. The warehouse facility of off Hillsborough Avenue is filled with all kinds of delicious things to eat.
The Vigo Importing Company has been bringing exotic products to Tampa for years. The warehouse facility of off Hillsborough Avenue is filled with all kinds of delicious things to eat.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:22 AM EDT2013-06-18 10:22:06 GMT
Troy Petro and his fishing buddy fell overboard "like rockets." Those were Petro's words as he stood barefoot at the St. Petersburg Marina Tuesday, feeling lucky he wasn't hurt.
Troy Petro and his fishing buddy fell overboard "like rockets." Those were Petro's words as he stood barefoot at the St. Petersburg Marina Tuesday, feeling lucky he wasn't hurt.
