Skip to main content

Birds of Prey


Today we went on an outing called, Birds of Prey, which was a place that housed several varieties of South Africa's native winged creatures and aim to preserve endangered species. We were given time to venture around the property and view the different areas of birds and later we got to watch a showcase of some birds catching their lunch. There was an expert who lead the show and she gave us information about the various birds exhibited. I learned a variety of interesting things that I did not expect. For example, female birds are bigger than male birds in order to protect and keep their eggs warm. The expert explained that the scientific name to distinguish between male and female is, "Reverse sexual dimorphism." Another interesting fact, birds are conserving animals. They eat all parts of their prey. Also, a birds feet or talons serve as indicators for what prey they hunt; the bigger the talons the bigger the prey.

This was my favorite bird, the Barn Owl. With a white, moon-shaped face, this bird was adorably cute and very quiet. Her feathers were covered with tiny, spotted, dots, almost like freckles. The expert had us listen to her flight, which was almost silent as she flapped her wings right in front of our feet, six inches above the ground. Based upon research done in England, this type of owl is estimated to catch 2,500 mice per year, due to their silent flight of attack. I discovered the reason to owls ability to turn their heads around: their eyes are not perfectly round, more like a rugby ball, and therefore they have no peripheral vision.


This was my least favorite bird, the vulture. I was able to witness a vulture feeding and it was quite disturbing, to say the least. They are quite aggressive animals, stealing pieces of meat right from each other's beaks. The feeder entered the vulture area and threw in two giant hunks of raw meat and within an instant all of the vultures were crowded around devouring the flesh with gruesome snaps. The feeder only stayed long enough to offer a few facts about this creature before leaving the area because one of the vultures has a particular fascination with shoe laces. Imagining one of those giant birds coming after my shoes made me curl my toes and walk back to my hoot hollow, where my friendly owl friend was.
Overall, today was an unexpected surprise.
May you learn something more about the beauty of God's animals today.
All my love,
Gennavieve

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Hampton Court Palace

Today, I toured Hampton Court Palace, an official historic, royal palace. Following are some of the sights I saw, history I learned, and favorites I enjoyed. The guard chamber of King William III. The magnificent display of 2,871 items of armor and weapons displayed a message that William was a great soldier and peacemaker. William's Presence chamber. Only high-ranking individuals were permitted into this room. William would be distinguished by sitting on a Chair of Estate. Those who entered his presence were required to remove their hats and make three low bows to the King, or even his empty chair. I'm grateful to serve an accessible King, who is with me wherever I go. William's eating room. He was expected to dine here on occasions "in front of persons of good fashion and good appearance," in order to display the sumptuousness of his food and to reassure everyone he was in good health. He was served by three servants on bended knee. William's P...

Finals Ahead

With final exams around the corner I have completed quite an assortment of exciting adventures, all in preparation for studying I promise. From body surfing in the mighty waves of the Indian ocean, to zip lining above the beautiful canopies of South Africa, to sliding down the tarp on AE's grassy hill I feel so blessed to be able to experience wild and carefree fun. I went to Durban on Saturday and the weather was perfect for a swim. The waves were absolutely gigantic and completely powerful! There were several times that my heart would quicken because I got knocked around a little out of my comfort zone. Sunday, we went on a zip lining tour, which was very nice. Having zip lined before I was not nervous and so went first within our group. On a few of the lines, the guides would goof around and flail their arms or reach for trees and bounce off of the branches. However, when I expressed a desire to try to mirror them one of the men said, "Monkey see, monkey do. Monkey t...

I'll be home for Christmas

Cue Christmas music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t_forzHXzE -No, seriously! Click on this link and listen to this as you read my words, go on! Please click away.), which should be titled Holiday Music , after Halloween and decorations after Thanksgiving, everyone should abide by this principle. Thus I have been listening to Holiday Music and, although I have not a place to decorate or means to decorate, I have been fantasizing about Christmas. So here is a little post to say, Here's to the song I'll be home for Christmas , I have never sang this song with such fervor before... I'll be home for Christmas You can count on me Please have snow and mistletoe And presents on the tree Christmas Eve will find me Where the lovelight gleams I'll be home for Christmas If only in my dreams Christmas Eve will find me Where the lovelight gleams I'll be home for Christmas If only in my dreams ... I am dreaming about Christmas with my loved ones. I'l...