Random Number Game!! (Read 1st post for a chance at 20k!)

[WebenBanu]

It's still probably not so very much, but I remember back when all I could really do was to buy a bag of organic carrots every now and then, as a snack.  

[WebenBanu]

That was back when I was in college... and Alabama. There was not much organic produce in a small town in Alabama.^_^'  

[WebenBanu]

But there were always other ways to pitch in- recycling, picking up trash, etc. I volunteered at a raptor rehabilitation center as well. Got to work with all kinds of hawks and owls- even a few eagles and kites.^_^  

[WebenBanu]

One of the biggest perks was that I got to wear their feathers in my hair while I worked.^_^  

[WebenBanu]

But I could only wear them while I was at the center- it's illegal to be in possession of any part of a raptor unless you have a license. The center had a license. I didn't.^_^'  

[WebenBanu]

Much of what I did there involved preparing the birds' meals and feeding them. The preparation could be pretty grisly work (although, fortunately, the food came pre-killed), but feeding was fun.^_^  

[WebenBanu]

There was this one flight cage, where we kept the owls who were re-learning how to fly before being released.  

[WebenBanu]

Being a flight cage, of course, it was fairly long- giving the owls a length of space in which to glide.  

[WebenBanu]

The entrance was at one end of the cage, and the feeding platform was all the way at the other!^_^'  

[WebenBanu]

So when I came to that cage, I had to carry a tray full of food while I ran a guantlet full of hungry owls, dump the tray and throw my arms over my head while I turned around and ran back, then slam the door behind me and lean back against it while I caught my breath.  

[WebenBanu]

And in most cases, laughed hysterically.^_^  

[WebenBanu]

Because those owls weren't stupid- they knew I had their food. And they'd swoop and harry me the whole time, trying to frighten me into dropping the tray so that they could grab the meat just a few seconds sooner.  

[WebenBanu]

They were serious, and it was awesome to be in their presence. It was incredible to feel those wings whirring past my face through the night. It was fun.  

[WebenBanu]

I kind of miss that place sometimes. Not the hot, Alabama nights- they can take those and stuff 'em. But I miss running through the owls- as crazy as that probably is.^_^