Wednesday, January 28, 2015

The Raptor Show

A few weeks ago we got tickets to a special Raptor Show at the science museum.  I have always loved raptors, particularly owls.  The boys put on their owl shirts and we headed to downtown Roanoke.

The presentation was very interesting.  I learned that we have more types of raptors in Virginia that I realized.  I learned about how they hunt, and what types of prey they chase.The boys weren't quite as excited about the presentation (which involved a powerpoint - not a 5 year old's cup of tea) but they did enjoy seeing the birds.  They especially loved seeing Eleanor, the red tailed hawk, fly around the planetarium.  It was amazing - she flew right over our heads.

No flashes were allowed, so I took pictures with my cell phone, and they aren't the clearest on earth.  My apologies!  This is a peregrine falcon. 


And this is Lenny, the owl, who I thought was just gorgeous.  I wanted so badly to pet his snowy white feathers.

The boys, all smiles, standing in the line afterwards to 'meet the raptors'.  It was a fun morning. 
Readers, do you have a favorite bird or raptor?

24 comments:

Sonya @ Under the Desert Sky said...

Cool!

I love barn owls. There's an owl that lives near my parents' house. Sometimes we hear it hoot in the evening.

We took Liv to a program like that at the University of Iowa a few months ago. We thought it was interesting how owls' feathers cut through the air soundlessly but other raptor feathers/wings are more noticeable.

Cat said...

Love the owl shirts!

Chatty Crone said...

I don't, but the boys are so cute and growing up! Just had to stop by to check.

TexWisGirl said...

such cuties in their owl shirts. :) i love the barred owls who bark and call outside my windows at night. my favorite bird is probably a whistling duck, just because i'm surrounded by them. :)

Gingi said...

How fun!!! Looks like the little ones had a blast! <3 - www.domesticgeekgirl.com

Ginny Hartzler said...

What fun, I am glad you went! I have been to a raptor show and they are awesome. I don't think I have seen a barn owl, though. They are strangely beautiful and ghostly. The peregrine's eyes are too big for his head size, all the better to spot his prey.

An Apel a Day said...

WOW I'd like to see that owl in person. I think the way they move their heads is so cool!

Mica had an obsession with peacocks when he was 3 and 4. For awhile I collected some peacock things because I knew he liked them. I have some ornaments with peacock feather designs on them.

Unknown said...

My little Ellie loves owls. We did something like this once and she was enthralled. Great experience for littles.

21 Wits said...

What a wonderful time! Great pictures too!

Steve Surratt said...

What a great visit for the boys. My fav would have to be the bald eagle. I've seen a few out in my travels to some very remote places in Va.

Out on the prairie said...

I am reading a lot about raptors learning better identity guides for them. I like to watch them all. I have worked on a falcon and osprey projects with the state. Of course I do like eagles, they are in a class by themselves. I just finished a book on Hawk Ridge, an area in MN that has a good amount migrating each year.

Marie said...

very cool! I remember birds being brought to my school when I was very young.

Montanagirl said...

LOVE those Owl shirts and happy faces! You're always doing something fun and educational with your boys. Would that a few more parents were like that!

Harry Flashman said...

My mother in law was a big bird watcher. She knew all the hawks here in the mountains. These days I see the hawks in trees or on power lines and I remember how much Ruby enjoyed them.

Bas. said...

Dat zijn hele overwinningen om er eentje op je arm te nemen.

Sally said...

You take the boys to the most interesting places; look at those sweet faces! :)

Michaele said...

I hope you dressed for the occasion also. I want to pet the owl too..

Linda said...

Great falcon picture! And it's great that the boys got to experience this.

Jeanne said...

Haven't stopped by for awhile to see you , and my how your boys are growing. Such wonderful smiles.

Endah Murniyati said...

Interesting moment with birds!

Small Kucing said...

I dont have any favorite yet.

Over here they dont allow flash too coz it will scared the birds and they might attack

mail4rosey said...

Owls really have a huge wing stretch when they open up. It's almost alarming the first time you see it. :)

I like to see the bird demonstrations. Looks like your little ones did have a great time!

Eat To Live said...

I love the winter birds. They have to be so strong to survive our cold Pennsylvavia winters

Unknown said...

Blue Jays are a reminder for me that Spring is around the corner. So, I'll go with Blue Jays (given my limited knowledge of birds). It's been a while!