I should already be "at work"

but I wanted to share yesterday with you..........

It was cold, but there was no wind, and even the sun showed up, ever so briefly.......
We had SUCH a good day at the castle. I don't know the exact figures, but the castle was bustling. Our poor parkinglot couldn't handle the cars. SO COOL!

Halfway up the tower, looking at the second island......You can see the lean-to that will hold our beehives in a couple of months.

I took a couple of pictures, but my camera is not much of a match for what I wanted to show you.....

Paul with the Harris Hawk

A very young falconer in training... (I didn't get his name)

The falconer with a Golden Eagle and 2 of my co-volunteers

The falconer with his little volunteers to hold the birds.

Like a well oiled machine, Wim and Paul divided the kids in 2 camps and flew the birds from one group to the other, so they could accommodate every one. I did see some of them go around and join the other group after their turn. LOL (Can't blame them, really)

Paul with his little helpers

It was so much fun. The group you see in these pictures were only part of what was there during the  show. As soon as the falconer said that was the end, and if there were little ones that wanted to hold a bird, or anyone with questions was welcome, most people bailed in favor of warmth and coffee.

The birds will fly really close to the ground, as to not give away their position to others, so they really skimmed the crowd sometimes. You should have heard the kids squeel  (and try to get in the path of the birds at the next fly over)...... :-)

Next time, Wim promised to fly from the tower....... when he has had time to practice and after the birds are used to the premises. All flew with a tracker yesterday, and will for a while, just in case they get spooked and don't land in the right spot......

What I really liked about the show, was while he was flying the birds, Wim would be explaining their habits, how old they were vs how old they can get, their habitat and even how they use thermal currents to float..... Very interesting stuff. Even if a little bit of it sticks, you'll learn something.

Wim also mentioned that he would be open for foto workshops...... 

Well, I'm well past my start time, so I best get to steppin' LOL.

Don"t foget to hug a loved one, and have a safe "rutch" as they call it in Limburg. Meaning "slide safely into the new year"

Love and hugs,

Pauli