This is "Sky" the live bald eagle on display at the Birds of Prey Center near Boise, ID. We really enjoyed our time there when we were in Boise for about 24 hours a couple of weekends ago. We made the most of our short trip. There is so much fun stuff to do for homeschoolers there! 
This bird of prey is found in the rain forests of South America. Beautiful animal!
It was hard to get pictures between the mesh of the cages, but I tried. This an bird of prey found in the Arctic. 
The condors were absolutely fascinating. They had a huge wing span. One of the main purposes of the center is to breed birds of prey and release them into the wild and to raise awareness. They have had wonderful success with the condors. At one point in the 1980s there were less than 20 of them left, now there are over 400.
We were blessed to have a private tour. Our guide showed us how they fed the baby condors with this puppet made to look just like a mother's head.
There was a great hands-on room for the kids to play in. Lots of furs, bones and feathers. The kids loved these glasses that helped you see how a bird of prey sees.
There was a display with a great explanation of the differences in eggs. A cliff dwelling bird of prey has a pear shaped egg that rolls around in a tight circle, so that it doesn't fall off the cliff. God thought of everything, didn't He? This center provided us many opportunities to talk about God's wonderful creation.
The kids got to dress up as different birds of prey. Josiah is the condor and Hailey is a bald eagle. 
Josiah is a red-tailed hawk.
We were so blessed to get there in time to see two different presentations. Both were on falcons. Absolutely fascinating. 
Isn't she beautiful?
Josiah drew a picture of each bird and gave it to the presenter. She said she put them on her fridge in the back. My son is not the artistic type, so I was glad to see him "spreading his wings" and actually attempting to draw something for fun. It is nice that the kids are old enough to sit through lectures and tours. We can get so much more out of these kids of places now.
If you ever have a chance to see this center, it isn't very expensive and it is so worth the stop!
God Bless,
Jackie
Jackie, I have been sick and most of the kids too.... But it has given me time to catch up on reading...and I have just LOVED reading all your Little House and the Prairie posts! I wish I was your child! Laura Ingalls Wilder has always been such a favorite of mine. Did you create this unit, or is there a place to buy it?
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful experience for your family. Go girl :)
I've missed you so much in the blogging world, Rachel. Great to hear from you. Knowing your personality, I know the Prairie Primer would be a wonderful fit for your family. It took the drudgery out of homeschooling and I will do unit studies from now on. There is a fantastic Prairie Primer support group on FB that has been a tremendous help to me. You can buy the Prairie Primer off ebay, Amazon. I got everything used. The cookbook and songbook are excellent tools to use with it. For more info, you can go to the author's website and check it out: http://cadroncreek.com/pioneer-era
ReplyDeleteI feel like it has been a great investment as I will use it at least two more times as the kids get older. Let me know if you have anymore questions :)
We recently visited the Cascade Raptor center in Eugene on our way to Cottage Grove last year. It had bird of prey that had been wounded. Interesting indeed.
ReplyDeleteIt is fun finding places to go when you have children. We did that all the time. Always a museum to find somewhere! We still do that for the two of us. Never too old to learn what's happened in the past. Culture!
It even comes with a songbook! I feel giddy :). Yes, I know for sure I'd rather be doing Unit Studies, we've just done a few small ones. I've never imagined doing one for the whole year. Talk about in-depth.
ReplyDeleteWow-how amazing! I would love it there...and a pear shaped egg :-) We do have a great God!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful St. Patrick's Day...I am going to try cooking champ or colcannon to go with the main course.
Blessings, Aimee
PS: Is Hailey doing better with snow/ice travel?
This is awesome Jackie! I love anything to do with birds! To be that close to so many of God's majestic creatures…what a treat!
ReplyDeleteAimee,
ReplyDeleteEven though we don't have snow and ice right now, she is very paranoid whenever we get on a gravel road and whenever there is a drop off or large ditch. I'm praying she will be able to get over this fear. Poor thing. Thanks for asking :)
I will keep praying. I suffered for years because of an incident on ice/snow on a mountain road, by a lake, but I feel God has delivered me from this fear now and I KNOW He wants Hailey free of it too.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Aimee