Phoenix-based wildlife rescue Liberty Wildlife has adopted Nixon, a 15-year-old falcon at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament in Scottsdale, after a dutiful career as the castle's resident bird of prey. To honor Nixon's service, Medieval Times' Queen Maria Isabella led a retirement ceremony for the falcon on Thursday, Dec. 1 at the Scottsdale castle. Royalty, knights and falconers honored the bird, whose sweeping flights enchanted guests at the Scottsdale castle since its opening in 2019. Nixon will spend his retirement in the care of Liberty Wildlife, a nonprofit rescue organization committed to the nature of Arizona by providing quality wildlife rehab, environmental education and conservation services.

Photography by The James Agency