www.floridabywelcomehome.com 5
Oh! The Audubon Center for Birds of Prey! By Eryn Reddell Wingert
Picture it: a serene 1920’s lakefront bungalow-style house surrounded by predators. It’s not a classic or campy suspense film scene, quite the opposite. It’s a lush - even quaint - conservatory and rehabilitation center for birds of prey. The Audubon Center for Birds of Prey is nestled in a neighborhood in Maitland, Florida - due north of Orlando. It’s small and intimate, a far cry from the bustle of a wildlife theme park. But, exciting nonetheless. The experience begins immediately with the most friendly ticket taker and two ambassador bald eagles perch adjacent to the check-in window. Numerous enclosures housing raptors including eagles, falcons and osprey outlay the bungalow. A meandering path takes you on a self-guided tour. Informational plaques positioned outside each enclosure offer a glimpse into the lives the residents may have led
The eagle nest display at the Audubon Center is designed to scale. (Eryn Reddell Wingert)
The landscape of the bird of prey sanctuary is lush and tropical. (Gretchen Losi)
