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Wild at Wingswood

The Party: Owls, hawks, and vultures, oh my! Merriment took flight at this year’s Wild at Wingswood gala hosted by the Center for Birds of Prey. Located in the heart of the beautiful Wingswood Campus in Awendaw, the event welcomed supporters form near and far, giving them a hands-on look at the Center’s efforts to conserve and care for native avian species. While sipping signature cocktails and enjoying pork belly bites and miniature crab cakes, guests were invited to get up close and personal with some of the Center’s resident birds. As the night continued with silent and live auctions, News 4 meteorologist Tom Crawford acted as the evening’s lively auctioneer, and guests went home with everything from private birding excursions to a stay in California wine country. An impassioned speech by founder and director Jim Elliott rounded out the evening, in which he introduced the Center’s red-tailed hawk, one of their very first patients who has been assisting the team in avian education for the past 26 years. Highlight: Flight demonstrations during cocktail hour and the Center’s black vulture that scurried through groups of people as they mingled Overheard: “Ok, now I am officially a ‘bird person!’” Beneficiary: The Avian Conservation Center and Center for Birds of Prey

Photography Cocoa RaePhotos 22
Wild at WingswoodBoard member Champ Smith and event coordinator Edith SmithArtist Cecilia Murray created a custom oil pastel work of the Center’s osprey.Edward Stiefel, Steve Lunceford, and Edith SmithAnne Jennings and Russell HollidayVolunteer Tom McServy with a four-month-old American kestrelRed-tailed hawkMartha Lynn Webb, Abby and Robert Morris, Bo and Amber Von HartenA volunteer with the Center’s resident eagle owlAlex DePue and Olivia WilsonAuctioneer Tom Crawford warms up the crowd.Robin and David SchirmerAudrey Poplin with a yellow-billed kiteSandra Cipriani and Nancy Rinn-O’DonnellTom and Barb Hallberg, Susan McKenna, Katherine Sinnott, Jim McKenna, and Bonnie PattersonA staff member with the Center’s black vultureGuests mingle on the beautiful Wingswood grounds.Arkie and Stephanie FreemanJoyce Hollowell with Gilly and Barbara DottererThe black vulture in mid-flightChris Crolley of Coastal Expeditions with daughter OliviaCecilia Murray’s masterpiece completed

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