The excursion in Sitka started out on a bus that took us to the featured places: Alaska Raptor Center, Sheldon Jackson Museum, and Sitka National Historical Park.
Sitka is known as the heart of the Russian influence in Alaska and once served as the capital of Russian America in the 18th century. So this day's tour was about Russian influence, the Native people's of the area and their response to the Russian influx for fur trading, and about rescuing injured raptors…and seeing beautiful forested land.
Our first stop was at the Raptor Center and we learned how they rehab birds to go back into the wild…or if they are injured too much then they take care of them in the center for the rest of the birds' lives.
This is an inside area that they use to get the birds ready to go back into the wild…they can relearn to fly after injuries, etc. There is screening on all of the viewing windows so the birds can not see the people looking in at them.
The golden eagle is the most formidable bird of prey in Alaska. It is capable of hunting young Dali sheep and caribou.
After the Raptor Center we made a stop that I didn't know was included in the tour. It was at the Sheldon Jackson Museum. This gentleman realized the importance of preserving the crafts of the Natives of the area and collected all sorts of memorabilia and it is on display in this fantastic little museum that is located on the campus of Sheldon Jackson College. It was purchased by the State of Alaska in 1984. We got to see all kinds of Native American treasures in displays and even got to look in the drawers! It would be a fascinating place to spend hours in! We only got a quick taste of all its treasures!
I’ll pick up with more of the Sitka excursion tomorrow!
To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!
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