I AM Smiling

Merriam-Webster defines a raptor as a carnivorous medium-to-large-sized bird, such as a hawk, eagle, owl, or vulture, with a hooked beak and large sharp talons that feed wholly or chiefly on meat taken by hunting or on carrion.

According to Wikipedia, the Alaska Raptor Center in Sitka, Alaska receives between 100-200 birds yearly, many suffering trauma.  They have treated birds with injuries from electrocution, collisions, leg-hold traps, starvation, disease, lead poisoning, and gunshot wounds.  One of the eagles we saw had his wing severed from a gunshot and was unable to fly.  

A Snowy Owl at the Raptor Center

Also from Wikipedia: 

Many of their patients come from outside of Sitka and are flown in via Alaska Airlines or smaller regional airlines. The birds travel in dog kennels that have been covered to block out light. This helps to keep the birds calm when traveling. When an eagle is healthy enough, they will be moved into the Suzanne and Walter Scott Foundation Bald Eagle Flight Training Center. This is a large indoor area where they are able to fly, bathe and interact with other eagles until it is time for them to be released. Birds that are no longer able to live outside of human care are placed in zoos or wildlife centers throughout the United States to serve as ambassadors for their species.

Some of the birds that sustained injuries that did not allow them to be released have found a permanent home at the Alaska Raptor Center. More than 100,000 visitors annually come to see the two dozen resident eagles, hawks, owls, falcons and ravens, who assist in the center's secondary function, public education. The most well-known resident is Volta, a bald eagle who suffered permanent shoulder damage after a 1992 collision with power lines. Volta retired from doing on-glove education programs in 2020 and lived in the Bald Eagle Habitat off the back deck of the Raptor Center. In January of 2024, Volta was humanly euthanized due to failing health and a reduced quality of life. He was at least 37 years old in 2024, possibly older.

We really enjoyed our visit to the Raptor Center and learned quite a few things we never knew.  We have seen more bald eagles in Alaska than we have traversing the country over twenty years.  We've seen bald eagle nests (they're HUGE) but never the birds.  In Alaska, they seem to be everywhere!  

This was one of my favorite items they were selling in the gift shop.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: Coffee On Demand
2017: Why Don't You Just Do It Yourself?
2016: A Perfect Sunday
2015: Who Puts Sweet Potato On Pizza? Geniuses, That's Who!
2014: This Sums Up Today's Events
2013: Wrecks Aplenty On Twenty
2012: Spanning The Straits 
2011: Diner In The Mountains
2010: Limone Costa d’Amalfi
2009: To Tattoo Or Not To Tattoo
2008: Sparkle And Glow
2007: I See Sea Scallops
2006: My New Favorite Song
2005: Lazy Sunday