An Eastern Screech Owl at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve in St. Petersburg, Florida. Credit: Photo via St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation/Facebook

St. Petersburg’s Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is home to 20 raptors, or birds of prey (like the Eastern Screech Owl pictured), that have been deemed non-releasable.

Those birds have also been carefully vetted to ensure that they can be safely handled and used in educational programs. Thousands of bird-brained visitors stop by each year for Raptor Fest, and raise money to support Boyd Hill’s Birds of Prey Program. Attendees can learn more about the birds, see them in free flight, and yes, take a selfie with some of them as part of a day filled with environmental exhibits, kids activities, bird walks and more.

Parking is limited, so utilizing the free parking and shuttle from nearby Lakewood High School (1400 54th Ave. S, St. Petersburg) and Lake Vista Recreation Center (401 62nd Ave. S, St. Petersburg) is recommended.

There’s no cover for the 10th annual Raptor Fest happening Saturday, Feb. 3 at St. Petersburg’s Boyd Hill Nature Preserve at 1101 Country Club Way S. Subscribe to Creative Loafing newsletters.