Saturday Memories - Birds Everywhere

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(Edited)

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Talking to one hive friend, in a completely different topic and in another post, we came across the topic of safaris, and zoos. He visited Kenia and went on safari in Masai Mara, and in his opinion, the only drawback can be the tourism and crowded places that can disbalance the natural habitat of the animals. He is not much into the favour of zoos and artificial wildlife parks. He says:

I think they served a purpose in the past before we had the big wide internet.

This made me think, how neither I am a fan of zoos if it is like a prison for animals as they should live in their natural environment. But somehow we have to find the golden mean, as in everything in life.

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Not all zoos are the same. Nearby we have one called Terra Natura, and it spreads over a large area. From what we have seen, the conditions for the animals are optimal. During the summer, children can go to the zoo's summer school, and be there with the animals, feed them, and learn about them.

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Still thinking about that zoo, memories came. Around this time, during the winter, back in 2013, we agreed with some friends that we would all visit that zoo together with our children. They are not from the same city as us, and we wanted to hang out, talk and spend a day together.

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Our children were still small at that time, so we thought it would be a good idea to spend the day somewhere where the children would see something interesting and we could enjoy each other's company. Terra Natura was our common choice.

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In today's post for #saturdaymemories, an initiative by @olga.maslievich I will share the section of the birds. Of course, there are many other animals like tigers, lions, giraffes, monkeys, camels, foxes, turtles, snakes, frogs.. but just birds will enter now here.

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As you have already seen in the first picture, there were beautiful specimens of a red-and-green macaw (Ara chloropterus). This is the largest of the genus Ara, widespread in the forests and woodlands of northern and central South America.

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There were some blue-and-yellow macaws (Ara ararauna) as well, but this one was playing hide and seek with us. He didn't want to look at the camera when we took a picture of him.

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Later, we managed to take a picture while he was holding his plate. And also when was a bit higher, sitting in the branch.

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The next one was this military macaw (Ara militaris). He was also interested in his bowl. Probably they got some food before or were waiting to get it, who knows now, 8 years later.

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The children were amused. They were walking and looking to the birds, and "reading" the map where we should go next. The highest one is my son... Now he is tall like that door.

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Those Chilean flamingos (Phoenicopterus chilensis) are tall as well. Always looking for something in the water, but calmly and with elegance. I liked them so much.

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The wise and calmly looking owls posed to us. I think it was an European eagle-owl, and as you can see, it is a huge owl. The females can grow to a total length of 75 cm.

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This one is an Indian eagle owl. He was looking at us, ok, we got the message, we will let you alone.

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We saw as well great white pelicans, a lot of ducks, ostriches, storks, eagles, and some exotic birds whose names I don't remember.

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A bonus for the end. Not a bird, but a snake. A king cobra. I hope you will be able to sleep after this snake photo. I will try not to look to much time to this last photo...

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Thank you for going with me back in time, to 2013. Which bird is your favourite one from this post?
All the photos were taken by my husband and me, in 2013 in Terra Natura, Benidorm, Spain.



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21 comments
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I am not in favor of zoos either, it is preferable for animals to be in their natural habitat, some countries have zoos where they respect the space and conditions of the animals but it is not seen everywhere. It is sad to see a bear in a cage.

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Yes, that is sad, bigger animals need even more space, should not be in a cage.

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This place really looks like a paradise for birds! And you made a great choice by walking there with your children. I had fun too. It is difficult to choose the best bird, they are so unique. Here is this wonderful!

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Thank you for participating in #saturdaymemories

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(Edited)

This owl is so beautiful. I am not surprised they always represents the wisdom. And indeed, he looks like a calm, wise old person hahaha.

I like this photo as well, and the red ara :)

Thank you for participating in #saturdaymemories

It is my pleasure, indeed 💚

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That are some really nice shots you have there. Interestingly, when I hear/read Benidorm, I think: "party place for the teenagers who think that they are grownup" {LOL} I never been there, but this was the first destination my brother went to when going on vacation by himself, just after he finished his secondary school. Based on his stories, I kinda deleted this destination from any 'todo' list whatsoever. But who knew, it has such nice looking zoo (still not in favour of zoo's though). Wondering how Benidorm was/is this year with much less to no tourist?

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Oh, I know that Benidorm has that not so good reputation. But it has many other nice things to offer, not just to accommodate drunk tourists (as it was happening in one part of the town indeed regularly). There are elderly people of 70+ who could enjoy some cheaper vacation, maybe the first or last time in their lives. Also, the long sandy beaches and the urbanizations (not in the centre) are nice...

Benidorm is sort of dying financially this/last year.

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But it has many other nice things to offer

As so many touristy cities do, but nobody told me so... Now you showed something that is far from being these tourist town. Ok ok, a zoo... Hahahahaha

Benidorm is sort of dying financially this/last year.

That is pretty sad, but I suspect this has to do woth no revenues from tourists? It's always dangerous becoming a place for tourists. For whatever reason they can stay away (covid, other interesting cities etc). Amsterdam got flooded with tourist as well durin glast decade or so. Many complain, but others making good from from them. Was doing the financial situation of the city good, but the downside is the real estate investors started to point their money to Amsterdam as well. Obviously due to tourist, we got more entertainment, more restaurants, more bars, moer everything, therefore making the city a better place for not only tourists, but also expats and all. That in itself drives more international businesses to Amsterdam. And now, almost no tourist, no expats etc etc. After covid, maybe more tourists again, but the city wants to reduce the numbers which bassically means all those people who bought apartment to rent out through AirBNB to tourist, will have to take losses. Some restaurants and nightlife may suffer. And maybe even the joy of Amsterda, for expats will be reduced. Anyway, lets see what happens. Tourist are no problem to me: They stayed in a very small area of the city I can easily avoid :)

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Now you showed something that is far from being these tourist town. Ok ok, a zoo... Hahahahaha

🙄

🤣
Hey, there are! But now I don't want to reveal them :D

The coastal area of Spain probably did a mistake in the past. Some 60 years ago everything started to develop in the way to boost the touristic sector. Before they lived from fishing, fruits like almond, olives, oranges... Fields were replaced with settlements, cities were born from nowhere. Everything was pointed into tourism, the prices of real estate rocketed, so now, without that, there is a problem.

Expats: I still hear more Dutch than Spanish in the building :D
So when you come to visit Benidorm (hahaha) you will be like at home (🤣) Ok, I know you will not visit B. , but the town I live in is pretty nice and fine :)

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Hahahaha... You are putting Benidorm back on the my radar so to speak hahahaha

Tourist: Well, I like to play tourist in Spain, mostly Ibiza, but also like Barcelona, for a few days :) But Ibiza is my island! Love it! Rural, lots of good restaurants (also cheap ones), beautiful areas to stay (espacially in the middle of the island and all the way up to the north), and in summer season always a party around in all sapes and sizes. The perfect combination for me :) If I would have the money, and I would've had a job that brings in good money whle able to work remote, I would've purchased a finca already and spend half of the time on Ibiza and half of the time in Amsterdam. Or at least a nice little house with neighbours a little further away so I can make noise whenever I want, and when my neigbours make noise, well, they just have to invite me, even when I'm not hearing them hahahaha Best spot I ever stayed was in a small house right at the top of the mmountain/hill east of St Gertrudis. A little hassle to drive up and down, but best spot ever!

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Hahahaha... You are putting Benidorm back on the my radar

You know, even bad publicity is publicity ;)

I would've purchased a finca already and spend half of the time on Ibiza and half of the time in Amsterdam

So for that six months when you would be in Amsterdam, we could take care of your finca! Ok, deal 🤣

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Hahahaha: Yes Yes :) But first, I need money money money... otherwise nobody on that island will give me the keys to a finca.... Soooo, I need to be top earner on HIVE for the next decade or so {LOL}

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Oh, stop commenting then, and go write a post 😋
🤗

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Nah, too much work 😉

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Interesting walk and great photos, thank you very much @mipiano !
I would love to walk there with my camera :-)

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Right now this place is closed as well. Like everything, as you can imagine.
I hope they can make through a difficult situation and can treat the animals as good as until now. I mean food, medical care etc.

We have some friends, a couple, veterinarians both. The wife was sick so doesn't work but the man, as he is a marine biologist as well, works in a big aquarium

https://www.oceanografic.org/en/

We know how much he loves the dolphins and the way he and all the people working there and treat the animals, with love. He showed us a video when treating a wound and giving medicine to one dolphin. You have to be calm but sure what you do so the animals are calm as well and have confidence in veterinarians.

Thank you for looking to my post and for your time @bambuka

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