Tooday is a sunny, warm and Spring like day. On tap was a special program for the education of the area on the importance of Raptors in our eco-system. The Visitors Center held two shows with standing room only during both programs. The raptors varities were flown in the auditorium just over the heads of those seated and the crowds enjoyed seeing the hawks, owls, and a black vulture up close and doing what their cousins do in the wild.

On the outside, the wild flowers and plant growth were starting to bloom. The waterfowl was enjoying the feel of the sun and warm surface water. There are several active Osprey nests within the Refuge and the Osprey pairs are busy preparing their nests for early Summer chicks to be hatched. Our newest Whooper children are active and growing more mature and grazing all areas of the Refuge.

One funny part of the daily wildlife activities is our "crazy lady" (meaning a female Hooded Merganser) who for the last three years have flown into the Observation Pond's area and repeately attempts to nest in a Kestrel box. Needless to say, the pair of Kestrels take a personal offense to her overtures. As always, Crazy Lady finds another location to nest.

All in all today was a great day for education, the communities in the area, the people, and of course the wildlife with the Refuge's safe areas.