Baza

Today it was the early day.  I only had to work until 2.30pm so I can pick up Levi after school.  It was the last day of soccer training for about a month as they don't have soccer during the school holidays.  I picked up Levi and then we came home.  Levi had done about two laps around the house on his bike, before he came flying inside.

"There's a bird with a hurt"

I went out to look and on back view thought it was a big, odd shaped pigeon.  One look at the claws and eyes told me that this was no pigeon.  The eyes are just beautiful.  A brilliant yellow, with a piercing glare.  But he was hurt and looked as if he was struggling to fly.  I threw a towel over the bird and went to get a hot water bottle.  Levi held it wrapped up on the couch.  I thought that it would likely be like any other of the big raptors and calm down when hooded and he didn't disappoint me.  Levi held him still but before I could get the hot water bottle filled, the bird started to get restless.  I took it outside and off it flew.  No backward glance, I'll have to say.

I had no time to photograph him and I am bummed because his eyes were beautiful and he has a fabulous crest.  I did have time to take him to Jo, who identified him as a Pacific Baza.  Brilliant name!  Brilliant look.  I ripped an image off Google Images so you could see him.  Interestingly the photo came from Samsonvale, about 5 minutes drive from here.  So wish I had been able to photograph his eyes.