Parque das Aves (Park of Birds). . .

Saturday morning we went to the Bird Park. I have never seen so many crazy looking birds! Our favorite was the Toucan. The beak was just incredible and I felt like he was wearing one of those masks with a rubberband that goes around the head. What a beautiful bird. Most of the birds were tame so we could touch them. . . most of them were tame. . .

. . . but not this guy on the left. We were walking along when suddenly we heard a boy screaming. He was about 8 years old and came running around a corner, crying and yelling and running for his life. Before I could even wonder what he was running from, this freakish chicken-looking bird came running after him, pecking at his legs and feet. I almost fell over I was laughing so hard. Ya, until the stupid bird decided to turn around and chase ME!!! NOT FUNNY. He started pecking at my feet, which were not in tennis shoes, but sandals!!! Suddenly, I was the one yelping and kicking and doing a stupid little dance, trying to look cool, but flipping out at the same time. The crowd of fifteen people were about to wet their pants. . . at my expense. I should have asked Kevin to kill it, considering his record, but it didn't cross my mind. Bird disease did. Finally the stupid bird left and I made a quick trip to the bathroom. I love the picture of the alligator with the turtles. Either he's got his arm around the turtle in a romantic protective way, or he's just letting his friend know it'll all be OK. Apparently the two cohabit together well.

Pretty guy. . .

Beautiful flowers were all over the park.

I've never attempted to capture a hummingbird with my camera, so this was super-fun. And incredily difficult. I'm so happy I got a good one out of the thirty I took!!

The bird on the left has to be one of the ugliest birds I've ever seen. The one on the right was such a pretty red and he was so calm.

Although I'm not a sick person, I was kind of hoping I could capture this bird biting the boy's hand. Partly because I wanted a good picture, but also because I felt like the boy was taunting the bird and I wanted him to learn a lesson. Fortunately, I got a good picture and the boy didn't get hurt. I'm sure he'll learn lessons the hard way though!

Emma wasn't all that interested in the birds until the very end, when she actually got to touch one! We had so much fun holding these birds and seeing them up close!