For the Birds - Online Auction

Alaska’s Bird Treatment and Learning Center

Click here to make your bid and to see other auction items.

Bird Treatment and Learning Center.

I’ve been a fan of their work ever since meeting it's founder, Dr. James Scott in the 1980s. He was my veterinarian at Alaska Animal Hospital off of Tudor Road. He was also the founder of Alaska Bird TLC.

This story developed more when, 15 years ago. I was visiting my mother, Nancy Jensen, for Valentine’s Day at her home in Cooper Landing. Chatting away in the living room, we observed an injured eagle on the beach near Kenai Lake. It appeared to have a broken wing, the result of a squabble with other eagles over frozen, rotten salmon.

Alaska Fish Game helped come to the rescue. We caught the eagle and I transported it to Bird TLC in Anchorage where they began the work of mending the wing and rehabiliating the eagle for life in the wild again. A few months later, Bird TLC allowed me to transport the eagle back to its homeland in Cooper Landing.

My mother and I carried the bird’s airline carrier to the beach and released the eagle. It flew over our heads several times as if to say thanks while it surveyed its salmon feeding ground. We noted that some feather’s on both of the eagle’s wings were missing. It was unmistakably the same eagle.

We named the eagle Valentine. I often wonder if Valentine will appear over my head again one day. It’s signature ‘feather-prints’ will confirm its identity. Either way, it was a perfect example of what volunteers can do to help others on our planet. And this is why I’m hoping to see some great bids for a portrait package that will, one day, help others fly again - just like Valentine.

This is an exceptional package. I hope to see you in front of my lens one day soon.
David