Owl Attack

Owl Attack

On those few occasions when I do visit the fair, I have to see the bird show, Birds of the World, in the band shell. It's edutainment and kinda goofy sometimes, but they have real — and amazing — birds, and a half dozen of them swoop low over the audience at various times during the show, so close we could feel the waft of their big wings as they glided just above our heads, up front where we insist on sitting. Sometimes within inches, not even feet, they fly over.

Even without a camera, getting that waft is worth the walk. What a wonderful feeling to be so close to these big and little birds! With a camera, however, it's always hit and miss, depending on where the birds decide to fly through and how fast they rocket by. These are the few that were sharp and in focus. I also have many indistinguishable lumps rocketing through Fair Park space.

See the Crown bird Swoop

This guy is from Africa. Friend and fellow DallasArtsRevue member James Michael Starr identified him for me. All my bird books are for Texas. He's a Grey-crowned Crane, and despite his foot-dragging aerial style, he's quite elegant in the air.

Flash Parrots

These colorful characters were in the aviary tent behind the band shell. I rarely use flash, but in there I pretty much had to to capture all those wild hues and simple shapes amid the darkness.

Spread Eagle - African Eagle

Blue Parrot