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The day started at Mingo with a program from the World
Bird Sanctuary featuring a Bald and Golden Eagle |
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Left: Golden Eagle. Right and
Below:
Bald Eagle |
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About a dozen Sierrans and Southeast Missouri State University
Biology Students enjoyed the day - including both viewing (above left)
and the picnic (left and below). |
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Foreground: Beaver Lodge; Background: Thousands of Snow geese |
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World Eagle
Days at the World Bird Sanctuary, Eureka, Missouri: March 23rd |
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During February Eagle Days we learned about this attraction, and decided
to attend. |
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The World Bird Sanctuary started life as a raptor rehabilitation
facility but has since expanded its interests globally - but remains a
non-profit organization surviving on the kindness of donors. This
was the second annual World Eagle Day during which the Sanctuary
provided a program allowing visitors to see up close and personally many
of their raptors (birds-of-prey). |
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This exhibit was designed for kids of all ages |
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The Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus
leucocephalus "Patriot" was a popular target for visitors |
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The little American kestrel Falco sparverius
was no giant among the raptors on display. |
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The Barn owl, Tyto alba is among Missouri's
species of conservation concern. |
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In wooded areas of Missouri, the Barred owl Strix
varia cooks nightly "Who cooks for you, who cooks for you
too" is the familiar call. |
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The Eastern screech owl Otus asio is
another non-giant among the raptors of Missouri. |
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The Golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos is not common in Missouri with fewer than 10 sightings annually
though they can be seen more commonly in the open plains of the west. |
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The Long-eared owl Asio otus is another
Missouri owl seen in our wooded areas. |
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The Peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus was
once seriously endangered by DDT poisoning, but has rebounded since the
pesticide was banned. |
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An Australian relative of the Golden eagle is the Wedge-tailed eagle
Aquila audax with a 2.5 meter wingspan. |
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The Great blue heron Ardea herodias
displays the wing injury that sent it to the rehabilitation unit.
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These bald eagle rehabilitation enclosures are open to the sky since the
birds' injuries prevent their flying away. On occasions, however,
free-flying wild bald eagles come to visit and perch on the enclosures.
On the right, one of the eagle pairs seems to be nesting. |
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Following the World Bird Sanctuary visit, we
lunched at Lone Elk Park, across the road - and enjoyed some 'wildlife'
of a different variety. |
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Earth Day 2003, May 3rd |
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Earth Day 2003, was a little late. Due to
inclement weather and other bookings, it was finally held in the
Southeast Missouri State University University Center on Saturday May 3rd.
The event was organized by the campus 'Preserving Our planet'
organization. Biology Department undergraduate Danielle Schwartz
staffed our table along with Bob Polack. |
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Ozark Chapter Meeting in Cape: September 6th/7th |
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The Conservation Committee
Meeting at MDC Southeast Regional HQ |
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The Social at 2812 Oakshire
Circle |
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