Majestic Raptors Captivate and Instruct at Scarborough Renaissance Festival in Waxahachie
Preparingfor a thrilling experience every weekend until Memorial Day, the Scarborough Renaissance Festival in Waxahachie showcases the ancient art of falconry with the captivating Birds of Prey show. For nearly four decades, the esteemed Royal Falconer, John Karger, has graced the grassy stage with his nonprofit organization, Last Chance Forever Birds of Prey Conservancy, presenting an awe-inspiring array of raptors, from towering eagles to tiny western screech owls.
John, the mastermind behind the Birds of Prey show, warmly greets the enthusiastic crowd, proclaiming, "Good day, noble spectators! I am John, your Royal Falconer, and today I shall share the intricate wisdom of falconry!" With his 35 years of experience hosting the show, John offers more than just a glimpse into the world of raptors – he invites the audience on a journey to appreciate nature, recognize their connection to it, and cherish these magnificent creatures.
As John jokes with the crowd, he piques their curiosity, quipping, "Ah, you're all predictable! When I bring out this bird, all I hear is 'Oh, it's so cute, it must be a baby!' but fear not, it's fully grown!" After the show enthralls the audience, John graciously shares some insight into the purpose behind his annual performance.
"Our gathering here is not simply about entertaining our spectators with a dash of Renaissance flair," John explains, "It's about enlightening them to the beauty that surrounds us and our undeniable link to nature. We are, after all, mammals too." Education is the cornerstone behind Last Chance Forever's work to safeguard birds of prey from the myriad of threats looming in the environment.
John highlights the problem of lead poisoning, stating that "for the last 25 years, we have only had one eagle that tested lead-negative. All others are lead-positive, thus requiring treatment." Another obstacle these avian marvels face is intolerance, driven by a lack of knowledge. "Misconceptions abound," John laments, "take this golden eagle's wing, missing part of it. She was the victim of an uninformed individual who shot her. That's why we are here."
John's apprentice, Keith Wright, gently cradles the wounded bird in his hands, disproving the fearful myths often associated with these apex predators. "Eagles are often misunderstood," Keith clarifies. "Because of their size and the misinformation spread about their capabilities, people are filled with anxiety. However, birds can only carry a third of their body weight, and this golden eagle weighs about 11 pounds." The duo's ultimate goal is to dispel the misconceptions and educate the public, ultimately protecting birds like this golden eagle from falling prey to misguided violence.
Though they manage to nurse this eagle back to health, her injuries were too severe to be released back into the wild safely. Now, she resides at the conservancy, using her story to inspire more donations to help save other birds in need. Last Chance Forever Conservancy welcomes approximately 240 to 300 birds each year, of which 65% are returned to the wild.
"Do we make an impact? Probably not a significant one," John muses. "However, if just one bird returns and breeds – as our bald eagle in southeast Texas has done, who was shot and then released – it can start a ripple effect, leading to a more balanced ecosystem."
- John, the Royal Falconer at the Scarborough Renaissance Festival's Birds of Prey show, offers more than just a show, welcoming the audience on a journey to appreciate nature, recognize their connection to it, and cherish these magnificent creatures.
- The Last Chance Forever Birds of Prey Conservancy, John's nonprofit organization, focuses on education, aiming to enlighten people about the beauty of birds of prey and their undeniable link to nature.
- As John educates the audience, he highlights issues such as lead poisoning, a problem that affects many eagles, and intolerance driven by a lack of knowledge.
- The birds rehabilitated by the Last Chance Forever Conservancy often face misconceptions, like the belief that eagles can carry more than a third of their body weight, a myth dispelled by John's apprentice, Keith Wright.
- Despite they may not make a significant impact, the conservancy, through their work, strives to protect birds like the golden eagle, caring for approximately 240 to 300 birds each year, of which 65% are returned to the wild.
