Friday was stunning and the turtles were sunning. Even though it was daytime, the great horned owls happily hooted away.

The eagle sat regal on his perch. Scanning the moose pen I began my search. By April 15, our taxes need a postmark. But 150 volunteers circle this day for another reason: It’s opening day at the Maine Wildlife Park.

Additional Photos

A lynx is one of the rarer animals at the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray. All the animals at the park were injured and couldn’t survive in the wild or were confiscated as illegal pets. Don Perkins photo

Two turtles bask in the spring sun at the Maine Wildlife Park. It took some ice and snow removal, but the park made its school vacation opening date. Don Perkins photo

Located on Route 26 in Gray, The Maine Wildlife Park is open for the 2011 season. Park superintendent Curtis Johnson said it wasn’t easy getting ready for opening day this year. He spent the previous day plowing a stubborn layer of snow from the park’s access road.

“If we had to open a day earlier we probably couldn’t have done it,” Johnson said. “We were breaking up ice along walking paths and paved areas. But it’s nice to open on time; the big push is April (school) vacation.”

While the staff may have been scrambling, some 25 different species of animals were doing just fine, soaking up the rays on a nice warm day.

“Mommy! The turtles are out!” screamed young Riley Tully from Saco.

Indeed they were. With necks craned, a few of them in all their spotted beauty were happily sunning themselves on a log.

A recent feature helping park visitors is a guided audio tour explaining a little about each exhibit that you can access via cellphone. Just call 228-1700 and key in the number at each exhibit to learn more about the animals.

Upon entering No. 22, you’ll learn: “The native turtle exhibit is a great place to meet and photograph the seven species of Maine turtles. On a sunny day, many are out basking on logs in the ponds; or they may be hiding in the corners around the waterfalls. There are well over two dozen turtles here, so your chances of seeing several are good. The ponds are small natural ecosystems, with frogs, insects, minnows and aquatic plants providing natural turtle foods.”

And there are little-known factoids, too: “Never take a wild turtle home with you because you think you have a perfect backyard pond for it. Turtles have very strong homing instincts, and chances are the turtle you think you are helping will spend the rest of the summer trying to get back to its original home!”

And contrary to first assumption, you can feed the bears here. However, you must use feed the park provides. Bring your quarters to access handfuls from the machines at the bear, deer and ground bird exhibits.

At the bear pen, young Brady and Colby Tucker from Gorham looked like they were trying out for the Red Sox, pitching feed over the fence to two black bears that happily grazed the ground.

All the animals at the park are here because they’ve either been injured and couldn’t survive in the wild, or were confiscated as illegal pets by law enforcement.

Johnson said the park could not operate without its 150 volunteers.

“This is a very unique place to work,” he said. “The volunteers contribute over 9,000 hours a year. That’s how we’re able to survive. Their 501(c)3 organization funds many of the new exhibits.”

Kathleen Wood of Gray, a volunteer, is often at the gate greeting visitors and is part of the Friends of the Wildlife Park organization. She’s been helping out for four years now. “It’s fun, I think I like the turtles the best,” she said. “We have a cookout in the fall each year for all the volunteers. You don’t realize how many there are until we all get together.”

For more information about the park, including hours and fees, as well as Friends of the Wildlife Park, visit www.state.me.us/ifw/education/wildlifepark.

Don Perkins is a freelance writer who lives in Raymond. He can be reached at: presswriter@gmail.com

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