The next morning it was time to head out. The birds and I had a ten-hour drive ahead of us so I was up early to get on the road. Once again we had an uneventful drive all the way to Casper, Wyoming. Here I stopped for lunch and a break to take the birds out and let them stretch their wings. I also had to pick up my dog, who I’d left with a friend (the dog would not have forgiven me if I’d forgotten to pick him up). We headed out for the last leg of our trip, enjoying the beautiful scenery through the Wind River Canyon and finally into Cody.
The Center’s Multimedia Coordinator has been extremely excited about the birds and was waiting for us, camera ready, when I pulled up near the mews to unload the birds. With camera rolling, I unloaded the travel boxes, tool box, and everything else related to the birds and made sure their mews were ready for them.
The hawk was taken to his enclosure first. I placed him on his perch near his window and he spent the rest of the evening looking out, taking in his new surroundings. He seemed quite relaxed and at home. It was a wonderful sight. Next, the falcon. I took her out of her travel box and offered her dinner—I wanted to continue bonding with her by feeding her on the glove. She happily ate her dinner in a brand new location with another strange person and a video camera watching. After dinner, I took her to her new home and got her settled in for the evening. What a wonderful weekend! Five days ago, our mews were empty. Today, we have three gorgeous birds. This is why I love my job!
