Sunday, August 3, 2014

A Bird in the Hair is worth two in the bush.


The boys and I made a visit to the Alice Springs Desert Park with our friends the Gapinski's, we were trying to take in as much as we could before they were to return to the United States.  Our first stop on this beautiful morning was the bird show - after living here for 2 1/2 years it was our first time seeing it.  Honestly I was amazed, I had no idea birds could be trained this well.  We had numerous species of birds all coming in on cue, hawks were diving for food around us and flying over are heads.  We now perfectly understood why they tell you to remain seated, do not move around - at all - while the show is running.
 



Our next stop was the nocturnal house, one of my favorite spots at Desert Park.  It is a large building that is very dark inside, stars (lights) on the ceiling and didgeridoo music playing.  There are enclosures for owls, bats, bilbies and numerous other animals, and yes snakes! We were lucky enough to be there at feeding time, so many of the animals that can be difficult to see in the darkness were easily spotted as the trainer brought the food into their habitats, the kids loved it.
Right before the eagle fell off the stand.

We then hurried over to the eagle area for a private encounter, there was a talk and then we got to get up close to a wedge tail eagle.  It was now picture time so the kids step in front of a bird stand and the trainer is going to place the eagle on the stand, but the eagle falls.  Keep in mind the eagle is attached to a strap so the eagle is flapping upside down desperately trying to get to the stand.  While this is happening, the kids are backing away and Cheyenne and I are standing there, cameras ready, but not one picture was snapped - we were in such shock at this scene that neither of us thought to take  a pic, so you will have to take my word for it.



Our last stop at the park was the Aviary, I really wanted Cheyenne to see the black cockatoos - they are magnificent.  I was amazed she had never been in the aviary before on one of her previous visits but then she explained that birds make her "uneasy".  I explained that it is a simple path, trust me, you walk through, you see a black cockatoo - you might even get to see the beautiful orange under his wings - and then you walk out - no big deal.  Reluctantly she agreed so we opened the gate, about half way around I was dive bombed by a small bird that had decided to make a nest in my hair - not sure if it was the blonde highlights or the gray sparkles but even after Dillon shewed him away he came back for more.  All I could do was laugh as Cheyenne and another couple kept their distance while taking hundreds of pictures.  I am not sure Cheyenne will ever go in another aviary!


During the school holidays the boys went back to Desert Park for the Desert Explorer program.  Ten kids to work with the rangers all day helping out with feeding and taking care of the animals, they even got to make the rules announcement at the bird show.  Jake said he liked the mammals day the best, he even asked if we can get a dingo as a pet - not gonna happen!

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