by Michelle Cano
The 26th annual Winter Outdoor Wildlife Expo (W.O.W.E.) was held from Feb 8-12, 2022, at the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center and Alligator Sanctuary. A special appearance from some feathered guests were one of the main attractions.
Jonathan Wood, wildlife rehabilitator and master falconer, brought his entourage of eagles, hawks, falcons and owls. The Jonathan Wood’s Raptor Project put on a fabulous extravaganza for three days. He entertained the crowd with his raptors and sense of humor, and even had volunteers from the audience feed Uncle Sam, the American Bald Eagle.
Some of his feathered buddies included two Aplomado Falcons, an Antarctic Gyrfalcon, a Red-Tailed Hawk, a Crested Caracara, a recently rescued Harris Hawk, a Black Vulture, several owls and his new family member, an African Augur Buzzard.
After the show, the birds were on display for everyone to take photos. You could even pay a small fee, like I did, and take a photo with one of the raptors. Susan, Jonathan’s wife, used your own personal cell phone so you would have your photo right away. Isn’t that just amazing?
When it was all over, my day of volunteering ended with helping them clean up, pack up and load the trailer with all the beauties in their cages safely tucked away for the long journey home. My first day of volunteer work as a TMN trainee is one I will never forget and always cherish. Bird on!!!