Cape Town

Posts Tagged ‘Cape Town’

Killer birds!

Sunday, February 22nd, 2009

Myself and The Birds

What a day! Ok, it wasnt quite as exciting as it sounds, but it was still a great day. The bf’s parents are down on holiday, so they’ve been doing touristy things, so I suggested feeding the squirrels in the Company Gardens, and a walk through the musuem. You cant come to CT and not go to the musuem!

So it was decided, and we made a quick detour to buy two bags of unsalted peanuts for the squirrels (there are lots of them after all). Walking through the Gardens, it was pretty soon that we spotted our first (and very inquisitive) squirrel. My bf’s mom’s first attempt ended with her tossing a few peanuts on the floor, at the squirrel who sat calmly a mere metre away.

Tsk tsk, these non-CT people! Ok ok, I’m only kidding, not everyone knows how to feed the squirrels if they’ve never done it before – they are wild after all (the squirrels, not the parents). Actually, these guys (again, the squirrels, not the parents) are so tame they literally climb into your lap to get a peanut (haha imaging a parent climbing into your lap for a peanut…haha!). And they’re so cute and soft (need I say it? The squirrels, not the parents…ok that was the last time, I promise)! So, next squirrel in, everyone was successfully feeding the squirrels out of hand … and lap.

A squirrel sitting on the bf’s stepdad’s lap

Then along came The Birds. These pigeons are so demanding for peanuts (not that they should be eating any – they cant digest them) that they’ll land on your hand if you hold out a flat palm with peanuts in it. Next thing you know, SWOOP!! in lands about 4 pigeons, all fighting for a spot on your arm. You cringe and cry out as their razor sharp claws pinch and scratch you as they continue to push each other out the way to get closer to your palm. I dont remember the birds being so demanding??

Anyway, after eventually realising that if you just drop your arm, they have nothing to cling to…SWOOP! in zooms a pigeon which promply clings to your shirt!! The gall of these Birds!! No more just pecking around your feet, oh no, they swoop, dive, zoom and cling! One even landed inside my bag of peanuts!! Inside!!!

Attack of the Killer Birds

Ok, I write all this like its a terrible experience, but these birds actually had us laughing (until the stinging sensation started in my arm) as they entertained us. We even tried to lead them into the musuemwith us, but that’s where they drew the line (the birds, not the musuem).

Not much to say about the musuem, except they’re currently holding a wildlife photography exhibitition which has some amazing photos! Really inspiring stuff! They even have a catagory for “10 yrs and under”…what those 10 year olds are doing with cameras better than mine is beyond me but anyway! Pout. So, do try to visit before the exhibition is up (check the site for details). And take your time reading everything, there are some really interesting stories behind each photo!