Visitors get close view of wildlife, Santa at Glen Ellyn center

Think about the animals of Christmas and all sorts of images immediately come to mind.

Reindeer, of course. Cute little puppies under the tree. Lambs in the manger. Maybe a polar bear guzzling a Coke.

But a redtail hawk? Probably not.

Which is why the DuPage Forest Preserve District's annual Talons and Claus festivities are such a hit at Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn.

Saturday was no different as visitors got a chance to get up close and personal with some of the wildlife that resides at the center and to get their picture taken with some of the creatures, as well as Santa Claus.