I was introduced to a juvenile Mississippi Kite at the Raptor Rhapsody Festival at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, a bird that immediately melted my heart. While you scroll through the images of this beautiful bird and enjoy his expressions, also imagine gentle peeps, vocalizations that were so soft that it was easy to miss them in the background chatter.
In addition to exhibits, there were many other programs on-going at the festival. Brian "Fox" Ellis, a talented educator and performing artist, uses his stage presence to educate and inspire children and adults of all ages. I had the opportunity to witness his engaging portrayal of the naturalist and artist, John James Audubon, as he told stories related to his historic pursuit of birds in art. To my delight, the story I witnessed was a Cherokee tale about a race between a hummingbird and a whooping crane, the tallest and smallest of our migrating bird species in North America.
It was also a great pleasure to present my own stories about bird encounters and the photography that brings birds closer to me and provides the detail and inspiration for my art. One of those artistic pursuits resulted in the creation of Operation Migration's Whooping Crane Activity Book. Thanks to Operation Migration's staff and volunteers, we were able to have these booklets available at the festival. What a personal joy it was for me to hand these books to teachers and witness the expression of gratitude in their faces. For this I owe a special thanks to both Operation Migration and Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.
Click Operation Migration's Whooping Crane Activity Book to see more pages in this free resource for educator's classrooms and find links for ordering information. The juvenile Whooping crane class of 2010 is about to embark on its first migration journey south behind ultralight 'parents'. To follow this incredible journey, visit Operation Migration's Field Journal. Also, especially adapted for students and teachers, visit Journey North's reports on the ultralight-led Whooping crane migration.
Click this link to see all my posts on the Raptor Rhapsody Festival at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.
Related Links:
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
Mississippi Kite--Cornell
Raptor Rehabilitation of Kentucky
Life, Birding, Photos and Everything
Brian "Fox" Ellis--Fox Tales International
Operation Migration
New River Gorge Birding and Nature Festival
Linked to Bird Photography Weekly #111 to promote the conservation of our world's birds.
It looks like you also fell for the Mississippi Kite. He is a handsome bird. Will he ever be released? Love the gourd.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to see Kathy doing that. And what a bird...look at those soulful eyes. Now I want one.
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what a beautiful bird - fabulous eyes!
ReplyDeleteand in his own way, the alligator snapper in the previous post was beautiful also - I think snappers are cool critters. I rescued one from a hot, dusty, busy road - picked him up several times, and he never attempted to bite me - I think critters understand when you are trying to help them, and he was grateful (particularly when he reached the safety of my courtyard and got hosed off and a good drink of water). Wanted to keep him as a courtyard guard turtle, but a friend carted him off to a safe location before I could get too attached.
marge
Hi Lisa,
ReplyDeleteI did fall in love with this beautiful kite! He was compelling in every way, especially his juvenile curiosity and vulnerability.
Unfortunately, when a raptor becomes imprinted on humans, he then fails to hunt, seeking out humans to provide food, and is no longer able to feed himself in the wild. Fledged raptors learn to hunt by watching their parents, through trial and error, and while still being fed by parents.
This young kite fell from the nest (or with the nest, can't remember which) and though the parents were actively trying to protect him, humans removed him from the nest area, causing harm rather than the help that was intended.
A fallen juvenile will continue to receive food and protection from parents under these circumstances and has more chance of survival in the wild than with human intervention.
Susan,
ReplyDeleteI knew you would love this bird. I look forward to seeing this species in the wild!
Hey Marge,
I found the alligator snapper so intriguing. Nature has so many amazing ways of adapting a species for survival.
Glad your rescued snapper was given a good wild home, though I think the 'guard turtle' idea is a great one!
What a beautiful bird and how exciting to be able to see it that close.
ReplyDeleteHi Vickie, I met Kathy and her husband last spring and she is a very devoted raptor rehab person. She and I had already been sharing our blogs and it was one of those surprise settings as to how we met in person while observing a Bald Eagle's nest that was in Louisivllle. How small this world, when kindred spirits meet. The Mississippi Kite is so full of expression, I just love your images of it. The center is not far from where I live, but the times are so very full and I have not been able to visit in a long many months now. We were away out west when this festival was going on, otherwise, I might have gone too. Have a great week~
ReplyDeleteWow!! That kite is an incredibly beautiful bird. You must have been in 7th Heaven to be so close.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful bird! He looks like he's posing just for you. "Hey, take a look at my pretty wings!"
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
I can see why you fell for this bird very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMiki is a gorgeous bird indeed Vickie! How fortunate you are to have been able to be in his presence and enjoy the full experience of his being. Everyday I give thanks for the tireless work of the wildlife rehabbers. They o such incredible work.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of incredible work, your gourd basket with the Sandhill Cranes is truly magnificent and a beautiful piece of art.
I would love to hear the story of the race between the crane and the hummingbird. Who won?
very nice your blog, and photo; congratulations
ReplyDeleteIt's good to see these birds up close and enjoy them..then see them released. thanks for posting the Whooping Crane site. I live in FL..wish they stopped near us.
ReplyDeleteVickie, Miki also got to be on local television that weekend, along with three other birds from Raptor Rehab. He was the best, of course! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHE7Mp7Nyjk
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