Rcently a conservatory from Montgomery participated with the Alabama Conservation Department's Expo at Oak Mountain State Park. Pictured is an elderly female Bald Eagle who is being cared by the conservancy with the approval of the U.S. Wildlife Service. Unlike the free Bald Eagles this bird's feathers are worn and her demeanor very passive.

The next 10 photos were taken during this "open house". The purpose of the Outdoor Alabama Expo was to provide conservation education to the "city people" in the Birmingham metro area and allow the adults and children to experience a touch of nature and outdoor activities.

These type events are depressing to me after spenting much of my life observing the spirit, demeanor, and natural beauty of a widlife and then viewing these once majestic creatures used as teaching aids. It reminds me of years ago in the Smokie Mountians watching the "reservation" potbellied Cherokee men poising in their wornout headdresses in front of a cardboard teepee poising for "yankee" tourists at $5.00 a photo. A way to survive but not a way to live with dignity of a proud heritage.