birds
Those of you who know me fairly well know that I have this fear of birds, especially in enclosed spaces. Several times since childhood I have had birds and bats flying at me in my house. So, I get uneasy and jumpy.
Well, over the past years I've been taking steps to get over this fear. Two years ago, at SeaWorld, I went into a screened enclosure (maybe 20'x20') full of birds. I was a bit anxious and jumpy. I tried to feed them but as one flew on my arm I dropped the food cup.
Las summer, I held someone's pet bird in my hand and let it crawl up my arm.
Now, with my new job, I've held two wild (but socialized) birds! Bot of them are owls. The Eso (Eastern screech owl) has beautiful green eyes, except her right eyelid can't move, so most of her right eye is covered up. Therefore, she can't fly accurately. That's why she's in captivity, because she (or he) couldn't survive in the wild. The Leo (Long-eared owl) is a little bit bigger at 3/4 pound (compared to the 1/4 pound Eso). She's a bit bitey. Yesterday, I was pulling my hand away as I was trying to put the string through the jess, because I wasn't sure if her bite was dangerous or anything, not because I was afraid of her bite. (She got a nip at me and it didn't hurt). Today, I asked if there were any risks and was told there were not, so next time I'll just let her bite at me.
Eventually, I will probably hold the American kestrel, which will be a bit more difficult. She likes to try to fly off.
Today, Beth had the Eso and was talking about how Esos get food and how their sight isn't perfect in the dark. She asked the kids (they looked ages 4-6) what would help. A little girl said, "glasses!" It was pretty funny. The right answer was hearing.
The bottom line:
I've faced my fear of birds and handled some pretty neat birds!
Wolf Camp starts next week. It's a day camp week. The following week is an overnight camp (and it alternates weeks of day camps and overnight camps.) Hopefully all goes well! It will definitely be a learning experience.
Well, over the past years I've been taking steps to get over this fear. Two years ago, at SeaWorld, I went into a screened enclosure (maybe 20'x20') full of birds. I was a bit anxious and jumpy. I tried to feed them but as one flew on my arm I dropped the food cup.
Las summer, I held someone's pet bird in my hand and let it crawl up my arm.
Now, with my new job, I've held two wild (but socialized) birds! Bot of them are owls. The Eso (Eastern screech owl) has beautiful green eyes, except her right eyelid can't move, so most of her right eye is covered up. Therefore, she can't fly accurately. That's why she's in captivity, because she (or he) couldn't survive in the wild. The Leo (Long-eared owl) is a little bit bigger at 3/4 pound (compared to the 1/4 pound Eso). She's a bit bitey. Yesterday, I was pulling my hand away as I was trying to put the string through the jess, because I wasn't sure if her bite was dangerous or anything, not because I was afraid of her bite. (She got a nip at me and it didn't hurt). Today, I asked if there were any risks and was told there were not, so next time I'll just let her bite at me.
Eventually, I will probably hold the American kestrel, which will be a bit more difficult. She likes to try to fly off.
Today, Beth had the Eso and was talking about how Esos get food and how their sight isn't perfect in the dark. She asked the kids (they looked ages 4-6) what would help. A little girl said, "glasses!" It was pretty funny. The right answer was hearing.
The bottom line:
I've faced my fear of birds and handled some pretty neat birds!
Wolf Camp starts next week. It's a day camp week. The following week is an overnight camp (and it alternates weeks of day camps and overnight camps.) Hopefully all goes well! It will definitely be a learning experience.