Another of our great memories. …
A while back we visited a raptor rehab facility near Addo. The birds and snakes they have are either injured or taken from owners, who cannot look after them. In many cases they cannot be released, due to imprinting. Sad as some of the stories are, we met this beautiful Cape Eagle-Owl.
He had a Spotted Eagle-Owl as a friend.
It was such a fantastic experience to be close to these birds. They are used to educate students at schools about owls and they are full of games as well. We were told that by afternoon they like chasing the minder around the big cage. We found them in a great mood for some attention.
The Spotted Eagle-Owl
He likes a scratch. My wife got a bit of a shock, when he decided its better to get the TLC in a more direct way.
When he was not happy with this head-scratching he decided to gently ask her to move the finger another itch!
Yes, yes, much better…
The Cape Eagle-Owl
Our second eagle-owl did not really appreciate the attention given to his friend and decided it would be the best time to have a stare-down with someone or something.
He first tried me, then thought to have a go at the one-eyed camera lens.
Not satisfied with the lack of reaction, he decided to go at his minder and sure enough they had a good stare-down.
Goal achieved! Everybody is now certain who the boss is and he will allow a head scratch.
This was a great treat for us! We will go back next time we visit the area, just to look in on our new friends. I would rather see them in the wild, but on rare occasions like these, you cannot help but feel privileged for the chance to get really close and you walk away with a renewed appreciation for these incredibly beautiful birds.
Our Rumbling Ocean 
Lovely post – what a great experience!
Thanks Joy, yes it was.
Stunning creatures.
Beautiful, love them.
Fabulous photos and the memory to go with it. We have seen several owls with their carers when such charities are promoted in the shopping precincts. Fascinating.
We had a family of tawny owls in our silver birch tree one evening a few years ago…… 2 adults and a juvenile. We guess they were showing him the ropes how to hunt for mice in the field behind us. We also had a pair of screech owls (such tiny things) and 2 Barn Owls on one of our evening walks. The Barnies were silent as they flew their territorial route along the hedge and water drain, beautiful.
We’ve heard an owl here but haven’t seen him yet.
Listening to owls in the fields as I write this and a nightjar! They are special birds, I have always loved them! To see them up close was fantastic!
I love owls and have some photos of Verreaux’s Eagle Owl from Kenya. Totally wild and I think you were very lucky to experience them first hand like that.
Yes, great experience, listening to them now, few in the field somewhere close and a nightjar or 2 as well! It remains a favorite bird to see, nevermind the location!
Amazing photos! It’s lovely when they let you touch their soft feathers.
Yes, thanks, great experience.
I love their expressions. Or am I just imagining they have expressions?
No, these had great personilty for sure! Lovely interactions!
What a neat post. What beautiful birds. What a treat to see them.
Thanks, yes they are stunning!
Great photos!
A few years ago, I had my multiply handicapped students at a big park and there was a ranger there with all kinds of rehabilitated, injured birds. While we were looking at a lovely bald eagle, he foolishly said: “Illinois won’t be displaying birds like this much longer to the public; the authorities have decided that they don’t want to display handicapped animals to the public.”
Oh no! Pretty incencitive – grrr to him! No better experience to teach young kids about protecting the world we live in than such interactions!
Fantastic!
Thanks!
Lovely pictures! It must have been a wonderful experience.
It was excellent!