Raptors & Rye gives a close look at magnificent birds

Fontenelle Forest gave an up-close look at a couple magnificent birds at Nebraska Science Festival's Raptors & Rye.

The Nebraska Science Festival, co-sponsored by UNMC, held an event called Raptors & Rye on April 14, giving people a chance to gather, drink some rye and talk raptors.

The raptors arrived courtesy of Fontenelle Forest; the rye from Mercury, a bar located at 329 S. 16th St.

Nebraska Science Festival wraps up this week. See the events scheduled through this week at the festival website.


The professorial-looking owl, a great horned owl named Orion, did not actually give a lecture at the Nebraska Science Festival event.

  • The event also featured a peregrine falcon named Aero.

  • And rye, available for purchase.


Denise Lewis, director of programs from Fontenelle Forest, gave the presentation on the raptors at Mercury.

  • Again, the birds did not engage in conversation. But it sure looks like they did.

  • Despite their reputation, owls are not as “wise” as they often are symbolized, attendees were told.


Raptors & Rye, part of Nebraska Science Festival, 2022