Carolina Raptor Center

I want to make a clear shout out to the Carolina Raptor Center.  The work they do to rehabilitate raptors found all over the South is really great.  They release the ones that fully recover, they use the ones that have permanent injuries as ambassadors for their work. 

All the birds on display are rescued birds that cannot be released back to the wild because they would not survive.  They have missing eyes, permanently injured wings, etc.  The center also manages a hospital that you can tour with an appointment. 

They do also, of course, allow the birds on permanent exhibit to breed.  The bald eagles are currently caring for eggs that are about to hatch.  When the babies are ready, they will be allowed to just fly away.



Of course, since we are talking about birds here, they are in enclosures that are basically cages.  The birds who can fly still have areas to fly in, but many of these birds have serious wing injuries that prevent them from flying.  Still, some of the photos have lines across them, which could not be avoided.  Luckily the depth of field takes care of that in some photos...

























Although he is very large compared to children his age, my nephew has nothing on the wing span of a bald eagle...