NATIONAL EAGLE CENTER

One of the reasons we went up to Red Wing, is because we like that area along the Mississippi, and wanted to take a ride to Wabasha to visit the National Eagle Center. It's set in a beautiful area downtown, right next to the Mississippi. The architecture and lanscaping were first rate. It even has an eagle on the roof.

We got there just in time to hear a delightful young man give a program on the eagles that are at the center. This is one guy who picked the right occupation-it's obvious that he loves birds of all types, but especially eagles. He had a room full and later you'll understand why I was thrilled to be in the back.

He's going to feed one of the eagles, and since it was Sunday dinner, the eagle will get it's favorite meal-a rat! He just had to walk around and show the crowd.

Here he's holding Harriet, an eagle who has appeared on Minnesota license plates, a Harley Davidson motorcycle, and many other things. Very photogenic-and she's even appeared on TV.

All the eagles in captivity at the center, have been injured somehow. One of them is blind in one eye. It can fly, but would miss getting it's food and be in more danger of getting hurt. Did you know that an eagle can see a rabbit three miles away? This eagle would be in trouble. Harriet was hit by a car and her wing was broken, so she's unable to fly. You can see it very well when she spreads her wings.

Now, if you look closely, you can see the rat between Harriet's paws as she ate two of them, and had a full belly. They remove the intestines ahead of time, because the eagles don't like that part, and sometimes they sort of spit them toward the people. No spitting today-she didn't miss a bite!