Wednesday, April 4, 2001
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Wednesday, April 4, 2001 |
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Birds of prey on display at Callaway Gardens By MICHAEL
BOYLAN
The bald eagle was selected as our national emblem in 1782. Thought only to breed in North America, it is a strong and proud bird that soars majestically. More than 200 years later, the Bald Eagle was placed on the Endangered Species list under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Today, the bird has been downgraded from endangered to threatened and may soon be de-listed entirely. To witness these marvelous creatures one must either be very lucky or one must travel to Callaway Gardens for a brand new birds Of prey show. The birds of prey show features great horned owls, peregrine falcons, and red-tailed hawks as well as bald eagles. The program is a daily free flight program, featuring no bars, cages or nets, as audience members get to see a variety of raptors displaying their natural behaviors. Each show features a different selction of the program's many birds, making no two shows alike. The birds have an assortment of physical disabilities or have experienced some form of trauma that makes life in the wild impossible. The two bald eagles, Lady and Woodward, act as animal ambassadors for their wild counterparts, illustrating the balance between man and nature. Lady is 15 years old and had a wing amputated due to a collision with a car, while Woodward, a 3-year-old male, was born with a deformed beak. He has had surgery and is undergoing rehabilitation. "The patriotic feelings evoked upon seeing our national symbol in person is moving," said Callaway Gardens' president, George Fischer. "Saving the bald eagle, once close to extinction, is a shining example of how our nation's citizens can band together and accomplish a common goal." The show takes place at the Discovery Amphitheater at Callaway Gardens daily. It is nestled in the tall pines on the edge of Mountain Creek Lake. The shows are at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. daily, weather permitting. For information, phone 1-800-CALLAWAY or visit the Web site at www.callawaygardens.com. |
