The bald eagle

was selected as our national emblem in 1782.

Thought only

to breed in North America, it is a strong and proud bird that soars majestically.

More than 200 years later, the Bald Eagle was placed on the Endangered

Species list under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Today, the bird

has been downgraded from endangered to threatened and may soon be de-listed

entirely.

To witness

these marvelous creatures one must either be very lucky or one must travel

to Callaway Gardens for a brand new birds Of prey show.

The birds of

prey show features great horned owls, peregrine falcons, and red-tailed

hawks as well as bald eagles. The program is a daily free flight program,

featuring no bars, cages or nets, as audience members get to see a variety

of raptors displaying their natural behaviors. Each show features a different

selction of the program's many birds, making no two shows alike.

The birds have

an assortment of physical disabilities or have experienced some form of

trauma that makes life in the wild impossible. The two bald eagles, Lady

and Woodward, act as animal ambassadors for their wild counterparts, illustrating

the balance between man and nature. Lady is 15 years old and had a wing

amputated due to a collision with a car, while Woodward, a 3-year-old

male, was born with a deformed beak. He has had surgery and is undergoing

rehabilitation.

"The patriotic

feelings evoked upon seeing our national symbol in person is moving,"

said Callaway Gardens' president, George Fischer. "Saving the bald

eagle, once close to extinction, is a shining example of how our nation's

citizens can band together and accomplish a common goal."

The show takes

place at the Discovery Amphitheater at Callaway Gardens daily. It is nestled

in the tall pines on the edge of Mountain Creek Lake. The shows are at

10:30 a.m., 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. daily, weather permitting. For information,

phone 1-800-CALLAWAY or visit the Web site at www.callawaygardens.com .

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