Among the things to see at the top of Mount Calamorro (see Wednesday's blog post) is a birds of prey sanctuary. It's a pretty spectacular spot and the keepers offer educational shows twice a day. We scheduled our trip up the teleférico so we'd arrive in time for the 1:00 show, which was excellent, even though, due to the lack of winds at the top, some of the high-flying segments had to be cancelled. We did get to see two vultures take off on the limited air currents. But we were warned they might hang out on the rock ridges below until they found an updraft. They finally coasted back in about 20 minutes later, after the show had ended. (Click any image and spread your wings.)
BEFORE THE SHOW: OWLET UNDER GLASS. (BABY OWL THROUGH WINDOW.)
THIS VULTURE STAYED CLOSE TO HOME.
SOME VISITORS GOT TO BE PERCHES.
AFTER THE SHOW: WE GOT TO MEET THE KIDS.
THANKFULLY, NO PARTING GIFTS (I WAS WARNED).
NEXT TIME, I THINK I'LL WEAR A HAT.
LOL! I am glad you explained the 'owlet under glass'....I was wondering there a for a second. This must have been interesting to watch...let alone feel! You are a brave soul, Mitchell.
In 1963 I entered a contest on a local radio station to count the number of times the word 'bird' was used in this tune. I WON! If I remember correctly there were 123 'birds' in this tune! Just something a kid did back then.
Jim: I'm going to take your word for it on the number of "birds." I would have loved that contest. I assumed I would be out of the running for having the hawk on my head. Nothing for him to grab onto. But bald heads were fine (although I did get a little scratch). There was a guy across the way with hair dyed to match his shorts, which were royal blue. The hawk took one look and backed away.
In 1990 or so, the zoo in Milwaukee opened a beautiful new and ginormous aviary. Visitors, at least opening day, were issued painter's caps with a target drawn on top. If a bird pooped on your hat within the target, you won a prize of some sort.
Michael: What a great marketing idea. Actually, the sanctuary in Benalmádena should consider making up souvenir hats (for sale) with their name and also a bird poop splat. I'll bet they'd sell like crazy. Maybe I'll even suggest it.
Spo: There was an owl in the show, but she was very busy trying to figure out where the vultures were, so didn't cooperate fully with the signals she was given. It was actually very entertaining.
What an experience! And the thing about (most) shows like this is that if the birds don't like it then they have the freedom to escape to where they'd prefer to be.
Raybeard: Yep. One vulture (a different kind) was not in the mood to cooperate at all. He would take the food and walk away. Food was placed on a stump so he'd jump onto the stump to get it. He simply walked around the back, stretched his head as far as it could go, and swiped the food off with the side of his bill. Three times.
My daughter has been obsessed with owls since we read Harry Potter. One of the hardest days of her life was when she realized that no, this was fiction and that she would not be going to Hogwarts.
Linda: We used to see a bird show regularly at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. It was a mix of bird types. I really enjoyed this focus on the birds of prey.
Please visit www.movingwithmitchell.com if you would like to comment or stay up to date. I stopped posting here and reproduced all previous posts, as well, 25 September 2018. Thanks!!!
Mitchel , I diddn;t see those birds personally
ReplyDeleteGosia:
DeleteWell, I suppose you'll have to visit Málaga again.
LOL! I am glad you explained the 'owlet under glass'....I was wondering there a for a second.
ReplyDeleteThis must have been interesting to watch...let alone feel! You are a brave soul, Mitchell.
In 1963 I entered a contest on a local radio station to count the number of times the word 'bird' was used in this tune. I WON! If I remember correctly there were 123 'birds' in this tune! Just something a kid did back then.
Jim:
DeleteI'm going to take your word for it on the number of "birds." I would have loved that contest. I assumed I would be out of the running for having the hawk on my head. Nothing for him to grab onto. But bald heads were fine (although I did get a little scratch). There was a guy across the way with hair dyed to match his shorts, which were royal blue. The hawk took one look and backed away.
In 1990 or so, the zoo in Milwaukee opened a beautiful new and ginormous aviary. Visitors, at least opening day, were issued painter's caps with a target drawn on top. If a bird pooped on your hat within the target, you won a prize of some sort.
ReplyDeleteMichael:
DeleteWhat a great marketing idea. Actually, the sanctuary in Benalmádena should consider making up souvenir hats (for sale) with their name and also a bird poop splat. I'll bet they'd sell like crazy. Maybe I'll even suggest it.
I!d love that place..... Gifts and all!
ReplyDeleteSharon:
DeleteIt's supposed to mean good luck but I can live without the "gift."
I guess your head is tough from all those cabinet door encounters.
ReplyDeleteWilma:
DeleteYou'd think. But I still got a little scratch.
Glad you didn't receive a gift from the bird perched on your head. A fascinating experience.
ReplyDeleteStephen:
DeleteI really wish Jerry could make the trip up there. He'd love the birds.
Ouch. Bird claws are bad enough on your arm. What a magnificent wing span.
ReplyDeleteAndrew:
DeleteFortunately, they keep his claws trimmed. But I still felt it.
That is my idea of heaven... gifts and all. Love your giant smile!
ReplyDeleteJacqueline:
DeleteMine too... except for the gifts... although they would make for another story.
I love birds or prey; owls are my favorite.
ReplyDeleteSpo:
DeleteThere was an owl in the show, but she was very busy trying to figure out where the vultures were, so didn't cooperate fully with the signals she was given. It was actually very entertaining.
What an experience! And the thing about (most) shows like this is that if the birds don't like it then they have the freedom to escape to where they'd prefer to be.
ReplyDeleteRaybeard:
DeleteYep. One vulture (a different kind) was not in the mood to cooperate at all. He would take the food and walk away. Food was placed on a stump so he'd jump onto the stump to get it. He simply walked around the back, stretched his head as far as it could go, and swiped the food off with the side of his bill. Three times.
My daughter has been obsessed with owls since we read Harry Potter. One of the hardest days of her life was when she realized that no, this was fiction and that she would not be going to Hogwarts.
ReplyDeleteMaria:
DeleteFiction? What do you mean, fiction? I can't believe you didn't allow Liv to go to Hogwarts.
We saw a birds of prey show in Georgia many times, and it was always fascinating.
ReplyDeleteLinda:
DeleteWe used to see a bird show regularly at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. It was a mix of bird types. I really enjoyed this focus on the birds of prey.
Iwet myself at that second photo
ReplyDeleteFuck I meant the first photo
ReplyDeleteJohn:
DeleteIt looks to me like something you'd find in YOUR house.
What beautiful birds! I love the one perching on your noggin!
ReplyDeleteKnatolee:
DeleteIt was a great day and show. I wish there were a way (a painless way) to get Jerry up there. He would love it.