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Numerous pictures -- please let page load --
you won't be disappointed!
The Raptor Center in
Glen Helen Preserve, Yellow Springs, Ohio, is a fascinating
place. No matter where you look, you see the large hunting
birds being nursed back to health. Some were injured in the
wild, some abandoned by the parents shortly after hatching and some,
unfortunately, were given handouts by humans and don't know how to
live on their own.
While looking at them in their
cages, I was struck by how quiet the raptors are by
themselves. Except for an occasional ruffling of feathers or
the sound of flight, you didn't hear a sound except for one or two
screech owls. No wonder they're successful as
hunters.
This is Solo, an American
Bald Eagle, who lost a wing when he flew into a power line in South
Carolina.
Heckle and Jeckle, the twin magpies of
cartoons, would be proud of these two hawks who just sit on their
branch watching the tourists and the other birds, only making an
occasional sound in one direction or another. I kept thinking
as I watched their gazes turn in the same direction, "They laughing
at us, no doubt about it!"
This hawk wasn't at all camera
shy! He looked repeatedly right at me, right into the camera's
lens, until after he heard the camera's shutter click, then he
looked at some other visitors and ignored me!
The Turkey Vultures
sitting by themselves were absolutely silent as was the other Turkey
Vulture who kept "opening the kimono" to signal his
superiority!
This heart-shaped Barn Owl, named "BO"
(yes, for Barn Owl) stayed in the back of his cage. Don't ask
me why this poor soul has a strap running from his one remaining leg
to the perch he's standing on. I have no idea. But, if
someone named me BO, which when I grew up in Noo-Jur-zee stood for
"Body Odor", I'd probably want to fly away, too, especially
when I could've been named "Bo" for Bo Diddley.
Last, but not least, one hawk put on a
fabulous flying show while his cage mate watched. Words cannot
describe it! Watch as he
flies from left to right.
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