An Evening with Owls

by Selina M S (follow)

Calendar (9)      Birds (13)      Owls (2)      Australia Zoo (1)     

Owls have a depth in their eyes and a profound way of looking straight into you as they assess everything about you. It is very humbling to be close to an owl.

Recently, I met a Barking Owl while visiting Australia Zoo. His name is Neubi. He watched everyone and while sitting on the keepers leather gloved hand, he would go "woof, woof, woof."

It was awesome.


I have seen owls at the zoo, however, I have never held one. I have often wondered what it would be like to have such a precious animal so close?

My dream is about to come true because this Easter Saturday, Dave, my partner, and his friends Crystal and Jason from Raptor Vision will be hosting An Evening with Owls event.

I am going along and will have my first opportunity to hold an owl. It is going to be a very special moment for me and I plan to have a photo taken as a keepsake.

Dave and Jason will be focusing on educating people about the care of owls and the environment. The event is open to the public and a great opportunity to meet a live owl.



Dave told me that owls faces act like a satellite dish and funnel captured sound waves through their feathers into their offset ears.

This helps them pinpoint where their prey is hiding and once they have triangulated their prey, they don't take their eyes off that point. He showed me a video that demonstrated how the body of the owl moves to position them to strike but their face stays focused on the sound.

It is fascinating to watch.

I learned that owls pull their wings back behind their bodies, push their talons out and close their eyes at the very last second as they catch their prey.

Below is an image of China, the Barn Owl. He is a beautiful boy. The image shows a side profile of the facial disc of a Barn Owl.


As you can tell, I love owls and enjoy sharing all that I am learning about these magnificent birds of prey.

If you and your children would like to attend An Evening with Owls and have your photo taken with one of the beautiful owls, here are the details:

Saturday 19 April 2014
5pm-7pm,
Ewan Maddock Dam Camp, Steve Irwin Way, Sunshine Coast, QLD.
Adults: $12 each
Children: $8 each
Children under 5 - FREE!

If you live in Brisbane or close to the Sunshine Coast and would like to come to meet the owls, I would love to hear from you.

#Birds
#Owls
#Australia Zoo
#Calendar

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