In Potzberg there’s a wonderful little park that has a birds of prey show. Sadly these beautiful creatures are being injured and killed by the encroaching of rapidly-overbreeding humans. There are too few places that nurse the injured and help to educate people about the other earthlings we share this planet with. For some it’s just a day’s outing, but I have to believe that there are those, especially the young,  who are touched by a close-up meeting with other beings and can carry that into their lives and maybe live a little less selfishly and maintain a regard for our non-human brothers and sisters.

This stately fellow surveys visitors to the show, and soon turns into the opening act. Most of the time, people are aware of the fact that these are large birds, but seeing one sailing inches above your head gives a new sense of wonder at their size and strength. Our bald eagle friend began by demonstrating to us how photogenic he is:

Following this, he went through a series of passes that demonstrated not only his flight ability, but also how much he enjoyed the act of flying.

He loved the attention from the crowd. This is one of the few times I’ve seen this degree of comfort with a general audience displayed. This bird was magnificent!

He and his handler had a very strong rapport. He was very playful with all of the staff.

All of the birds were so playful. For instance this sea eagle, when his time in the show was over, landed above one of the staff and pranced around on the roof until she coaxed him enough and finally decided to hop down to her to be placed on his perch and given treats. So much personality!

There were many birds in this show, sea eagles, falcons, etc. At one point they were all released to fly and it looked like a flying circus from the days of the old biplanes, wheeling and circling in the sky, zooming in for treats that were tossed to them, flogging the wind under their wings. There must have been seven or eight eagles and as many falcons as well all racing through the air at one point. It was all so fast that it was hard to get clear pictures, but I managed to get a few very majestic shots:

And one of the best things for me was to get this shot of an eagle just catching his treat and inspecting it in his talon:

After the show it was allowed to meet some of the residents up close. I got to pet the owl, and even got to hold a tiny little owl as well! Sadly I was unable to hold it and make a foto, but it will remain in my memory.

There were lots of other creatures there to meet and interact with – goats, deer, geese, raccoons and others who need a home. I took some pictures of these as well, but those are perhaps for another time.

On the grounds there’s a watchtower that one can climb and see the land:

The overview is beautiful! From here you can get a good look at the park facility which is part of an old Burg:

..and also see a beautiful overlook of the area:

I think some time I’d like to overnight at the hotel. It would be peaceful to go to sleep to the sounds of all the wildlife in the park

As I was leaving, this little bunny decided to make tentative friends with me. The area was filled with these little rabbits and they all are rather tame. This fellow let me sit by him and occasionally lightly stroke his back, but only for a moment before he retreated and then returned. We really can have a peaceable kingdom if we truly wish it.