Western Screech Owl
Photo By Paula Nixon

Our local Wild Birds Unlimited  celebrated its 22nd anniversary today with cupcakes and a visit from the Santa Fe Raptor Center.

On the sidewalk in front of the store a volunteer from the center told the crowd about this tiny western screech owl that lost an eye in an accident and is a permanent resident at the center.  Most of the birds brought in as rescues are rehabilitated and released, once they have recovered from their injuries (everything from collisions with cars to falling out of the nest.)  The little ones are often fostered by the resident raptors until they are big enough to test their wings.

Inside I ate a chocolate cupcake under the golden gaze of a great horned owl.  She calmly observed the gathering of bird lovers, kids, and shoppers from her perch on the gloved hand of another volunteer. Before leaving to run  the rest of our errands, Dave and I checked out the blackboard with a list of recent sightings in the Santa Fe area.

I could do this every Saturday.

Wild Birds Unlimited
Photo By Paula Nixon