Omega Park part 2: birds of prey

(Here's Part I of our Park Omega trip.)

Just as we were about to leave the park, I remember that the brochure mentioned a "Birds of Prey" demonstration was scheduled for 2 o'clock. Peter was ready to head home, but I convinced him that the boys would love it.

A barn owl.

Liam was totally into the show and, truth be told, I loved it too. Simon was more interested in climbing up and down the bleachers, which we decided wasn't a great idea seeing as the birds were flying low overhead and a couple of them might have been able to fly away with him. Peter took him to burn off some of the excess energy that had accumulated while being pent up in the van for so many hours driving through the park. We were both getting so frustrated with his inability to sit still that it was wither let him run or voluntarily feed him to the birds (figuratively AND LITERALLY).

I forget what this one was called, but it lives in the desert
and gets together with buddies to gang up on roadrunners.

A juvenile red-tailed hawk, whose tail was not yet red.

This falcon was rather impressive. Once its hood was removed, the trainer (keeper?) attached a piece of meat to a bird-shaped piece of wood that was attached to a long cord. He then swung the "bird" around his head in wide circles. It took the falcon a couple tries, but when he did manage to catch the bait, it was pretty awesome. AWE-some.

(Related: Simon found the falcon's hood hilarious. "Burdies no needa hat!" in the same tone as you'd say "Where'd they get this guy?". He might as well have been rolling his eyes.)

Speaking of awesome, check out this winged wonder.


It's a bald headed eagle, but again a juvenile so it's white head feathers haven't come in yet. This was a seriously scary bird! I know this next picture is lacking in many areas -I didn't get the full wingspan or the tail in the shot- but just look at its eyes! And its beak! Yikes. That's the meanest looking bird I've ever seen! Simon wouldn't stand a chance!


This was taken just as it (he? she? I wasn't about to get close enough to find out.) was about to land. I really love this picture and how you can see all the air ruffling its feathers as it braked in the air.

Has anyone seen "The Secret of Nimh"? Doesn't this remind you of the scene at the end when the two crows are flying off, all tangled in the string?