NEGAUNEE — Museum visitors got to get up close and personal today with local birds of prey. The Michigan Iron Industry Museum in Negaunee hosted the Chocolay Raptor Center as they continued their Tuesdays at the Museum programming to inform people about the birds and to show them off a little.

Co–founder of the Chocolay Raptor Center, Jerry Maynard says, “We’ll be getting the birds out on the glove, showing them, telling their stories, their individual stories, as well as how raptors species fit into the environment, what role they play in the environment specifically how they live in the U.P.”

For Maynard, participating in these programs and spreading awareness aren’t just a passion but also a mission.

“I hope that especially the younger people,” Maynard added, “will fall in love with birds, and that it will be a life–long passion for them as it is for me, as it has been for me and that will result in them helping the birds when they can.”

The Chocolay Raptor Center is not open to the public, but occasionally have an open house. The next open house will be in September. Tuesdays at the Museum will continue next week, and you can hear all about it here.

For more information about Chocolay Raptor Center click here.

For more information about programs at the Michigan Iron Industry Museum click here.