The Raptor Festival

On April 11,2015,I attended a Raptor Festival in a small community,called La Riviere. This little town is located about a 30 minute drive west of where I live. La Riviere is better know for it's downhill skiing in winter.People come from far and near to use the carefully groomed slopes,of the sloping hills,which surround this town.
The day of the Raptor Festival the population of this town more than doubled,when over 500 people came to attend the festival.

This is part of the street scene,showing the cars parked along the sides. I was there early and had a hard time finding a parking spot.

All the attention was focused on the live raptors which were on display.Birds like this Swainson's Hawk were injured in the wild then brought to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.Many of the injured birds can be returned to the wild,but this particular bird only had one eye,so would not be able to judge distance and therefore was better in captivity and used to teach us about raptors.

This is a Barn Owl.I do not remember the story behind this bird,but he sure was willing to pose for photos.

A Great Horned Owl was another one of the captive birds on display.This particular owl seemed to enjoy being with people.

Look at the talons.I would not want to be at the receiving end of them.Seeing these birds in this way gives us a better perspective of just how well adapted they are for survival.No mouse or vole has a chance against talons like that.

Next door to the festival site was a small playground and Kai took advantage of that.She was not aware that I took this shot.I'm not sure what she was engrossed in,but I do know she had a good time at the festival.

On the way home,I came across this long line of tanker cars and just had to get a picture.The fact that Jake loved his trains is so deeply ingrained in me that when I see something like this I must stop and get a shot or two.

 The following quote has nothing to do with the rest of the post,but I liked it.

Always believe in God,Because there are some things that even Google can't answer.