These Birds Don't Look Injured, But They Are Cool

SO, there's this place called the Cascades Raptor Center, and it's pretty neat. If you catch bus 24 from Eugene Station, it's like a 10-20 minutes bus ride to the stop at Donald and Fox Hollow...in the rain it feels like an hour... but yeah.

Once off the bus, there is this hill directly next to the stop and there was like 4 million turkeys just waltzing around like they owned that hill. I did what all classy southern men would do upon seeing a turkey, I broke into a full sprint and chased them with waving arms and gobble noises. I would have caught one until the bus driver, WHO BY THE WAY, WAITED AT THE BUS STOP TO SEE WHAT WE WOULD DO, said that it was illegal to "disturb the habitat". There went my Thanksgiving Dinner.

 Then came the 3/4 mile trek uphill. I ain't a complainer, so this walk was actually a beautiful and peaceful walk. I may have taken TOO many pictures. The trees were green, LIKE REALLY GREEN, and I thought winter  started.

*TEXAS SIDE NOTE* -- When winter rolls around, all leaves go away, and grass turns brown.

Oregon continues to surprise me.

Upon arriving at the Raptor Center, I ran straight for freedom... I mean the bald eagle. However, I was stopped in my tracks by this Gyrfalcon named Finn... Like my name Finn... WeIrD rIgHt! This is the largest falcon in the world, and he was beautiful. The white feathers complimented his small head, and he looked like he could fly 100 miles per hour no problem and then mid dive he could rip an animal to shreds with his talons. Pure beauty.

 

Then I saw Hedwig... Archimedes rather, but he was definitely a fatter and lazier looking snowy owl than Harry Potter's trusty companion. Archimedes was pretty cool, but his sass was out of control. He was talking mess to me every time I lifted my camera to take a picture of him. He finally gave up when he realized that I was persistent, but he gave me the sassiest look ever.

Then I smelled America. Again, the bald eagle. I didn't even catch his name card becasue I was too busy singing the national anthem. I can't even use words to describe the eagle, he was just... just... FREEDOM!

Unfortunately, the trip was cut short because we had classes, and we needed to catch the bus back downhill before it left.

Check out this picture I took by the bus stop.