The day after I got back from Kansas (see Convergence posts) granddaughter, Kirby, flew in from Texas. We had a two week visit planned that would end with the State Fair and then her tenth birthday.

One of the days Kirby was here, the local library hosted a raptor presentation by the UC Davis Raptor Center. We followed that with a trip to the Raptor Center to see the raptors that are permanent residents there due to injuries or other reasons that prevent them from being released.

We first watched as the handlers worked with two turkey vultures in their enclosure. They are learning to enter dog crates so that they can be taken off site when necessary.

This handler had come to the library presentation but was back at the center to show off a 4-year old bald eagle.

At age 5 his head feathers will be completely white, as in the chart below.

The handlers explained the situation with each bird. Most were brought to the raptor center with injuries. Sometimes injuries are treated successfully, and the bird can be released, but not all of the birds would be able to live on their own in the wild. They are exhibited for educational purposes at the Raptor Center and at presentations like the one we saw at the library.

Some birds are also used for research purposes. This is Jack, a redtail hawk that is a resident. Jack had just completed a flight study, being filmed while flying and wearing sensors, before coming to the library.

This barn owl was injured at a very young age when the palm tree in which she lived was cut and she broke her wing. She is a permanent resident.

Kirby comparing her wingspan with these raptors.

We were lucky to have so many volunteers on-site to talk about the birds and let us see them up close.