Tracy Aviary offering education on wing

Tracy Aviary, located in the heart of Liberty Park in Salt Lake City, is offering education disguised as fun this summer with events that focus on birds, the environment and conservation.

Wildlife photographer Doug Sims will teach skills needed to photograph wildlife on the first Saturday of the next three months, July 7, Aug. 4 and Sept. 1, at 1:30 p.m., with a photo-op at 2 p.m. Participants can get tips and hints on how to take a perfect picture and then go out and practice with the aviary's bird-show stars. Preregistration is required by e-mailing themill@tracyaviary.org.

Visitors to the aviary are invited to feed the lorikeets through September. Pick up tickets at the visitor services center. With feedings 10 times a day, there's plenty of opportunity to meet the harmless and fun-loving Australian lorikeets. They'll land anywhere to get a piece of fruit.

The aviary's bird shows will be held through September. The aviary is presenting two different bird shows this year. The first, "Aviators, Superheroes of the Sky," is an investigative report that delves into the lives of some amazing birds we call aviators. Visitors can watch these superheroes fly right over their heads as the "reporters" discuss the aviators' amazing adaptations.

Show times are at 11 a.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

The second show, "From Bird Brain to Eagle Eye," introduces Dr. Aviary. With the help of some of her feathered friends she will discuss the important role birds play in our environment and how to attract them to one's back yard. Show times are 1 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays.

For more information visit www.tracyaviary.org or e-mail themill@tracyaviary.org.

This summer Tracy Aviary will be hosting a wide range of camps that will give participants a "bird's-eye view" on life. Camps include science, art, games and live bird explorations for children ranging from 4 to 12 years. Camps run to mid-August. Details and registration information are posted at www.tracyaviary.org.

A limited number of scholarships are available for qualified applicants. For more information call 596-8500.