Behold Birds of Prey at Cd'A Library

COEUR d’ALENE — Sharpen up those talons if you want to get close enough to grasp five species of live falcons Sunday at the Coeur d'Alene Library.

Birds of Prey Northwest offers two showings of a raptor presentation with guest speaker Jackie Fallon, president of the Midwestern Peregrine Program.

Ages six and up are welcome to learn about the incredible birds at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in the library's Community Room.

“Last year’s shows had the Community Room completely packed and the hush that the Birds of Prey presenters create for their raptors in that large of a group is total,” Library Communications Coordinator JD Smithson said.

The library is also opening the newest outdoor StoryWalk Aug. 28 at Higgens Point. The day out features award-winning children’s book "Swoop and Soar: How Science Rescued Two Osprey Orphans and Found Them a New Family in the Wild."

Coauthored by raptor biologist Janie Veltkamp, executive director of Birds of Prey Northwest in St. Maries and Deborah Lee Rose, "Swoop and Soar" will be on StoryWalk display for visitors until October.

StoryWalk visitors will discover the true story of Veltkamp’s rescue of two osprey chicks who lost their nest and parents in a storm. Visitors will also read about Veltkamp’s ongoing work protecting ospreys in Coeur d’Alene.

“This is a great time for "Swoop and Soar" to be part of StoryWalk, because wild ospreys are still flying and hunting nearby before they leave for their migration,” Veltkamp said.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Veltkamp’s founding of Birds of Prey Northwest, which rescues thousands of wild raptors and presents educational programs with live raptors for schools, libraries and events. Veltkamp and Rose also co-authored the award-winning "Beauty and the Beak: How Science, Technology, and a 3D-Printed Beak Rescued a Bald Eagle."