Falcons In Las Vegas

I read most of the news about Las Vegas through my twitter feed so I don’t watch the local news very much. That changed recently. Over the past few weeks I’ve noticed myself going to local TV stations because the national news and sports channels all seemed to be (over)covering the same information. I just wanted something different.

The news in Vegas is usually filled with drunk drivers, murders, job information and schools. There’s little for a single guy to find interesting. However, there is one thing that’s peaked my interest. There are a good number of falcons, eagles and other wild birds in the Vegas area. Who knew?!

I’ve only seen these kind of birds at the zoo and have never even seen a wild bird flying around in the desert. Last week the NBC affiliate did a story on a falcon that’s making it’s home atop the new Smith Center for Performing Arts. I have little patience for the performing arts but I can enjoy 2 minutes of falcon talk.

The Smith Center peregrine falcon isn’t dangerous and doesn’t mess with people so you have nothing to worry about. This story reminded me about an article a couple weeks ago in the Review Journal that discussed the increased amount of bald eagles in Vegas.

While I believe that culture is created naturally, Las Vegas thinks you can force a culture. Whatever the case, the Smith Center is the epicenter for that “culture”.

Regardless of my opinion of creating culture the Smith Center is a place to see things that are very different from the Vegas strip. They just announced series of Broadway musicals coming to Vegas.

If you enjoy big mean birds make sure you watch this condor go crazy at a hockey game last week.

Photo: Nathistoc