Once the owl stepped back onto the leather glove, was nervous. He was light to gentle and hold on the glove. His title was Twilight.
He was a real hit with the people who’d come to see An Evening with Owls, hosted by Raptor Vision on the Sunshine Coast over the Easter break.
Together, Twilight and I stood prepared and I was thankful as this was one of my greatest dreams that has come true. I have always loved owls, but I never thought I would have the ability to hold one!
This was a very special experience.
Owls have a way about them. They peer into you and I am not sure that anyone would ever be able to forget such an experience when your step has been taken by them.
I watched as Twilight had his photograph taken with people in the event and, at times, refused to look at the camera because something or somebody had captured his attention in a different direction.
After the photos were all taken, the series began. It was the Owl show of it’s kind in Queensland . Jason, the Raptor Vision proprietor asked everyone to be quiet when he attracted the owls out as this was their first time.
They introduced four owls – an Australian Masked Owl two Barn Owls and a Barking Owl and one 27 day. We learned about environmental and habitat conservation in addition to points on quitting poisoning.
It was a chance of a lifetime maintain the presence of these awesome birds of prey and to maintain an owl and a terrific night.
During the show, the owl handlers had the owl flights are participated in by many members of the audience. These people put the leather glove on to protect their hands and the owl handler called.
Jason had Talon, the female Australian Masked Owl, catch’prey.’ A stuffed toy and Talon was rewarded to encourage her to release her talons from the toy, although it wasn’t an animal.
Talon took out her prey so quickly and flew in, it was hard to see, as she captured it but you could hear the thump. This was worth going along to the event.
Bat Control, Eclipse, came out and’woofed’ not when Jason asked her to, at the crowd when she felt like it. It was funny and cute.
Jason and Dave discussed an owl can pinpoint the heartbeat of a rodent with ease just by listening to the noise. We learned that an owl’s facial disk is where it captures sound waves that funnel up into their ears.
After their prey has been pinpointed by an owl, they fly without taking their eyes away from the point of the goal. At the last minute, the pull their wings right back, push their talons forward and close their eyes. That’s the moment that their prey is killed. We were advised that owls get their prey every time because of their expert hunting abilities.
It is for protection.”
It was a excellent evening with owls and I am looking forward to the next time that this opportunity comes my way.