Originally started the project to improve my photography skills. Over a 2500 photos later it's become a personal diary. I post pictures that mark my...
Nice Ostrich. We stopped at an ostrich farm while visiting California and got to feed them. Not something I want to do again. They warn you not to get too close and to hold the container out away from you over the fence. What the guy failed to mention was that the ostrich will be attracted to shiny items. Gee, was my watch shiny? Of course it was. I nearly had it taken off my wrist as the ostrich's head came down toward my wrist. Yikes. A bit scary.
Thanks for all the lovely comments. Some have remarked about the ostrich's reputation for aggression. It's a small head, as you can see, and it is programmed only one way: attack! They can be dangerous because they can run very fast, and attack people by kicking and tearing you open with a very sharp claw on their foot. But like all wild animals, they are only prone to attack when they perceive a need to defend themselves, their eggs or their young. Leave them along and, unamazingly, they will leave you alone. This bird was part of a flock of wild ostriches in the cape Point Nature Reserve. The male had red legs, indicating that some of the females had eggs, so the flock was more aggressive than they would be out of season. I stayed in my car, and used the telephoto, to get the picture!
What interesting (further) information about the ostrich... I suppose that when you live with them as neighbors, you learn to respect them more. This is a wonderful picture...glad you sat at a safe distance!
your brave getting so close! ;)