As far back as the early 90’s, the Center (then the Charleston Raptor Center) participated in the annual Southeastern Wildlife Exposition although much differently than its significant presence today. At that time, the SEWE wildlife exhibitions were held along a circular corridor on the second floor of the College of Charleston bookstore on Calhoun Street. The Center partnered with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the US Forest Service to exhibit with the Sewee Environmental Education Center. It was little more than a table with a backdrop of poster displays along with me and one other person holding a bird on a glove.

Even back then, it was a tiring, three-day marathon of conversations with a revolving audience that gathered in numbers that often blocked the hallway. On the particular day I remember so well, I had been holding a not-so-common Broad-winged hawk on my fist for hours answering questions and needed a break. So, I handed the bird off to the person working with me and stepped back to catch my breath.

As I looked out from my wider perspective, it was as if I were gazing at a Norman Rockwell painting, I saw a contingent of every persuasion, men and women, lean, heavy, old, young, in attire from tweed to trucker hats. And within all the variety, they each shared one common thing: they were-to the person-completely mesmerized by the bird in front of them. And the bird, professionally trained to suppress its instinct to flee from such proximity to us, was nobly unaware of the profound and lasting impression that it was leaving with them all.

It was in that instant that I realized just how universal and powerful even a brief encounter with one of our magnificent birds can be. There it was on full display, the dream of every teacher, to capture and hold attention and to ensure retention of vital matters. We were each sharing a truly unforgettable moment. And we have since worked to leverage that awesome power, distilling curiosity into discovery, discovery into awareness, and awareness into the protection for the birds that serve to define us.

How rewarding it is for me now to reflect on how fortunate we are to share the gift of these beautiful birds who have enriched, awakened, and even altered, thousands of lives following that long-ago day that lingers in my memory.