We tried to overcome this fear a bit recently visiting a local showing by the WSU Raptor Club & Rehabilitation Program. The program started with several smaller birds, a Sharp-Shinned Hawk and this tiny Saw-Whet Owl named Cuare.
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Then, we were treated to some really big birds close up and personal. This is Toby, a Great Horned Owl. Keeli was pushing back against me very firmly to get as far away from these birds as possible and still be on my lap. This is Charlie, a Red Tailed Hawk and the oldest member of the Raptor Club.
Keeli isn't yet convinced yet that birds are good creatures, but she isn't as afraid to go outside in the morning where the finches are. This morning she told them to be quiet or she would get them a cage! At least I know she paid attention to part of the show.
4 comments:
Hey there. Have you looked at my blog lately...hinthint. I like Keeli's concept of cages for mean birds...our version of jail for mean people.
Kate, I have a 10 year old nephew in Flagstaff AZ whose lifelong ambition (since he was old enough to talk) is to be a raptor keeper in a rehabilitation zoo/area. I've tagged this post for him to read! Shame about your daughter's thing with birds. These little people are just so very complicated! Lisa x
So funny that Keeli is so afraid of birds yet doesn't mind your hens? Maybe because they don't fly...? Bravo for her for being so close to those raptors!
If you get a chance to go to a raptor release, please do it. We've been to a release of rehabilitated birds by the University of Minnesota's Raptor Center (at a nature center near our house), and it was truly inspiring. You're right -- every bird has a story. Not all of them can go back to the wild, unfortunately for them, but we're grateful for the ones who educate us humans, aren't we?
Check out the U of MN Raptor Center at http://www.raptor.cvm.umn.edu/
Very cool event for Miss Keeli. I love Erik Stauber! He is such an amazing, smart, talented man and so dedicated to his animals. I remember several times various raptors being rehabilitated in his living room. Every time we would find an injured owl on the farm, he would come over and retrieve it.
Lori
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