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MCDADE — A friendship between local business owners presents the opportunity for residents to enjoy a glass of wine alongside birds of prey.
Wildlife Revealed, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the education and preservation of wildlife, returned to Rising Sun Vineyard this past month, just before the grand opening of their new McDade based brewery, Yegua Creek Brewery.
Winery owner Steve Frintz, who hosts weddings, fairs and shows alongside his drip-irrigated vines, allows for Victor Lawrence and his team of bird experts to provide falconry demonstrations whenever they have an opening in their busy schedule.
The 12-year-old educational program incorporates hawks, owls and vultures into their “hawk walks,” where they give attendees of all ages the chance to take part in the sport of falconry, which dates back nearly 9,000 years.
Visitors can don a leather glove of their own and learn about the practice’s history while taloned birds fly and perch themselves upon their hands.
“It never gets old, watching the faces when these birds fly right up to you,” said Lawrence.
During the program, Lawrence discusses what it takes to get these wild animals to become so well trained, positive reinforcement through food reward.
“We understand the nature of what these birds do in the wild, they kill things and eat them. So, we’ve built a trust relationship between us and our birds,” added Lawrence.
Instructors stand close by, ready to intervene in the rare circumstance that something may go awry.
All of the team’s birds are free-flighted, meaning they roam around without st r ings or leashes, flying within one foot of onlookers’ heads.
After a lesson, visitors can grab a glass or bottle from the winery, whose selection has won six awards in its four years of operation.
In between vineyard visits, Wildlife Revealed travels for on site demonstrations at schools and other public events, maintaining a residency in the town’s renaissance fair, the Sherwood Forest Faire, under the Sky Kings brand name.
Sky Kings and their aerial beasts are preparing for another big show on Sept. 8, during the fair’s Celtic music festival.
Those interested in the preservation of birds of prey can learn more at wildliferevealed.org.
Upcoming events at Rising Sun can be found at risingsunvineyard.com, as well.
