Eagles and Wildlife Art at the Mayo Clinic

My husband has had some health challenges recently, so we've been driving back and forth to the Mayo Clinic.  While he doesn't look forward to "going to the doctor," the hour-long ride to Rochester has a tranquilizing effect.  We watch for waterfowl and raptors as we drive across the Mississippi River, and as we drive up the bluffs and through the farmland.

Today it was "raptor alley" all the way.  Bald Eagles were everywhere, including a surprising number hanging out along the road between Kellogg, Plainview and Rochester.  Not just one or two, but groups of three and four - soaring and perched in trees at the edges of recently harvested cornfields.

We counted two dozen Bald Eagles, a half dozen Red-tailed Hawks and a lone American Kestrel.

If I had a choice about when to go to the Clinic - it would be spring and summer, when the Peregrine Falcons are nesting.   You can watch them on the falcon-cam at the subway level near the pharmacy.  It's like Discovery Channel meets "Brothers and Sisters."

Today I discovered there are more birds to watch at the Mayo Clinic - if you know where to look.

I had to park in the Graham Ramp because of construction across the street from the Gonda Building.  That took us on a new route through the Clinic's subway level.

That's when I saw the Orangutan, rhino and Bighorn Sheep.

Across the hallway, I spotted the Bald Eagle.

Who's the artist?

To find out, I had to read the text to the right of the bird.  "I never met an animal I didn't like," was the quote attributed to the artist.

The famous artist was born in Pittsburgh, son of Czech immigrants.   In these 10 screen prints depicting endangered species, he used his signature brilliant colors, photographic blow-ups and dramatic lines to create almost human-like expressions. 

Recognize him?

The Pop art icon:  Andy Warhol.

If you're interested in art, be sure to stop at the information desk in the Gonda Building (Lobby Level) and ask for a self-guided art tour map.

Mayo Clinic Peregrine Falcons - An Update

I had the opportunity to visit the Mayo Clinic Peregrine Falcons again today.  What a difference a month makes!

At first look, I thought they'd all fledged.  There was one falcon on the nest platform - no little white fuzzy chicks.  The bird on the monitor looked like a banded adult.  I watched it walk around the platform and pick up what looked like left-overs from dinner (a pigeon wing).  Then the bird walked over to the edge of the platform and flapped its wings. 

This couldn't be an adult.

I looked closer and saw a few unruly down feathers.  Yep - this was the last of the chick trio, the last to take the leap. 

A little after 9am, I went over to the Information booth.   The three women staffing the booth looked surprised when I asked:  what's the news on the Peregrines?

One of the trio said:  I just got in, I don't know what's going on with the birds.  There was only one here this morning when I arrived.

Another said:  There were three in the box on Friday.

The third said:  We're not here over the weekend so we don't know what happened.  They banded them on June 2nd.  Three males:  Maverick, Hawkeye and Prince.

I couldn't stay, but I came back at noon and watched the little guy preen his down feathers (and eat the down), stretch his wings, flap, hop around, snooze and watch the world go by.

For the next 4 hours there were no visits from the parents.   No food drops.  This must be the way they "encourage" nestlings to take the leap.

A little after 4pm, the bird got very agitated - running back and forth on the tiny ledge, screaming and flapping his wings.  Unfortunately for me, it was time to go home.

Looks like he'll fledge later today or tomorrow.

Maybe next year Mayo volunteers will print a daily "Falcon Report" and tape it to the falcon display so interested viewers like me could make sense of what's been happening from day to day.

Watching Falcons @ The Mayo Clinic

When my husband went in for tests at the Mayo Clinic this week, I was his designated driver and official hand-holder.  Normally, I don't look forward to hospital visits.  This time was different.  It would be the first time I'd be in Rochester, Minnesota when the Peregrine Falcons are nesting.  Maybe we'd get lucky and see them.

Our Mayo adventure started in the Damon parking structure.  We found a vacant spot on the 9th floor. The stress of "going in for tests" was building as the elevator from the parking area opened in the Clinic subway.

We headed towards the information booth.   I always take a look at the Mayo brothers history mural, but this time I was distracted by 13 glass chandeliers suspended from the Gonda Building ceiling.  Wow.  They were created by American glassblower Dale Chihuly, one of the world's foremost glass artists.  (For information about Mayo art tours, click here).

The information booth in the Gonda building is a short distance from the Mayo Building.  Heading down the subway corridor, we were distracted again - this time by music.  A Mayo doctor was standing in the atrium, belting out a song, accompanied by a woman masterfully playing a grand piano.  We listened as we weaved our way through the crowd.

I was looking for the alcove between the Pharmacy and the Patient/Visitor Cafeteria, where I hoped to see the Peregrine Falcon nest camera.  (The real thing - the box with the nesting birds - is a couple of blocks away, attached to the Guggenheim Bldg.)

We found it.  It was operational.  The birds were doin' their thing.

I wasn't the only person mesmerized by the live action drama of 2 falcons feeding their 3 chicks.  I came back several times throughout the day.    Just about everyone who walked by, stopped to watch and comment to whomever was standing there.

Mom and Dad falcon took turns eviscerating the birds they caught to feed their chicks (the hatching started May12). 

This week's big drama:  one egg did not hatch.  The female kicked it to the side of the box.  There's a runt - 2 of the birds are much larger than the 3rd.

Mom (who is bigger than Dad) has a gimpy right foot.  I asked the woman at the information desk if anyone knew.  Yah, sure, she said.  This female is Canadian (from Ontario) and she got in to a fight with another female.  The Canadian bird won, but hurt her foot in the fight, weeks ago.

Mom (above) is banded.  She's approximately twice the size of Dad.

The scientists who monitor the nest will be on-site, banding the birds on Wednesday, June 12.  They're also planning to bring a Peregrine Falcon for visitors to meet - up close at the Judd Auditorium (11:30 to noon). 

The Peregrine Falcon live camera is one of Mayo's greatest distractions.  But, unfortunately, I can't say the same for their birdfeeder video in the Pharmacy waiting room.

Seeing House Sparrows and Starlings kick seed out of feeders was not what I would call great viewing.  The folks in charge of visitor distraction at the clinic should be able to find better bird videos... maybe a live cam feed from the River Bend Nature Center...