The Galleries at the Jester Park Nature Center

The Galleries at Jester Park Nature Center offers the opportunity for local art to be displayed and made available for sale to park visitors.

CURRENT GALLERY

Raptor Force: A Canvas Print Display of Midwestern Raptors in Flight

This art exhibition highlights the photography of Ty Smedes.

Since prehistoric times, mankind has looked to the skies and admired the ability of birds to take to the air. Their ability to swiftly evade predators and even migrate from continent to continent continues to amaze, as we track their movements with advanced technology. And while nearly all bird species possess flight, perhaps the raptor family is the most mesmerizing. These fierce avian predators not only utilize flight to safely nest among the cliffs and treetops, but also to hunt an incredible range of prey animals, from the tiny insects, to the fox and mountain goat, which far outweigh them! Having been enchanted by these amazing birds throughout my life, I’ve photographed and written about these astounding raptors many times, and have photographed nearly every species that migrates through the center of the continent. This photo display is a showcase presenting raptor flight images of many species of hawk, falcon, eagle, and owl that reside in the Midwest or migrate through it, on their way to wintering grounds each fall. 

Raptor Force will be on display through August 22 during Nature Center Hours. For additional information, please contact Missy Smith at 323-5317.

FREE to the public

Join Ty for on June 29 at 2 pm or July 1 and 11 am at the Nature Center for a talk about the  the birds of prey featured in this exhibit, detailing their lives in the wild and what makes each species unique. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1060979592556581