For Doug and Rita Gabbey, their Fountain Hills backyard has become an unexpected refuge for wildlife — especially Great Horned Owls.
Since moving to Fountain Hills in 2017, the couple has grown accustomed to seeing bobcats, javelina, Cooper’s hawks, squirrels and lovebirds pass through their yard. But in recent years, they’ve noticed something different: injured Great Horned Owls showing up, almost as if seeking help.
Their first rescue happened a few years ago when a young Great Horned Owl landed on a table just outside their kitchen window. Doug, a wildlife photographer, grabbed his camera to snap a few photos. As he stepped closer, the bird fell to the ground, clearly injured.
