Yearly archives "2016"

3 Articles

Vulture Awareness Day!

Today is Vulture Awareness Day around the world. Vultures may not be the most popular birds among the general public, but they are vital members of the environment. They are facing a range of pressures around the world, most famously from diclofenac poisoning.

A few years ago, I accompanied Patti Reynolds and stalwart volunteer/ house taxidermist Markus to retrieve and injured Turkey Vulture. Her wing injury would prove to be of the sort that just can’t be fixed, but Markus, Patti, and Laura gave the bird their all in hopes of a good outcome. It is so often the case that the stresses these birds encounter before entering Indiana Raptor Center’s care prove to be too much, and the best that can be done is to provide a safe, stress-free environment for their passing.

Patti and Markus rescue an injured Turkey Vulture

Patti and Markus rescue an injured Turkey Vulture

An injured Turkey Vulture, rescued by Indiana Raptor Center

An injured Turkey Vulture, rescued by Indiana Raptor Center

Laura Edmunds and Patti Reynolds tend to an injured Turkey Vulture

Laura Edmunds and Patti Reynolds tend to an injured Turkey Vulture

It was exciting to watch my first bird rescue. For my part, I got to hold a big net and help form a perimeter so Patti and Markus could nab her. She had not eaten recently, and therefore couldn’t manage the trademarked defense-by-repulsion method Turkey Vultures favor: good old-fashioned puke.

Bird rescue and rehabilitation is a tireless occupation, with many heartbreaks along the way. Please donate to Indiana Raptor Center to help us rescue and care for these birds. Thank You for your support.

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Raptor Art Spotlight: Avery

Our friend Avery is our featured artist for July-August. Avery is a bright talented 8 year old Hoosier who is a good friend of the Indiana Raptor Center. Her artwork displays an observational power, and the budding skills to reproduce those observations, that are well beyond her years. Jack Wittenbrink, our supporting metal and papercut artist from New Orleans thinks she is something of a prodigy because her drawings depict correct anatomical features in proper proportion, while also putting the light of life, curiosity and spirit into the birds she draws. We are happy to have her as a friend, and will continue to feature her work on this website as long as she continues to grace us with more drawings!

A pencil drawing of a screech owl

A pencil drawing of a screech owl by young artist Avery

A pencil drawing of a parrot

A drawing of a parrot by young artist Avery

A pencil drawing of a barn owl in flight

A pencil drawing of a barn owl in flight by young artist Avery

A pencil drawing of a barn owl with a mouse

Barn owl with mouse, by young artist Avery.

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