One thing I know now that I would have never given a second thought about a year ago is this – Ostriches freak me out.  Their small brains combined with such large and powerful bodies come together in an animal that works mostly off instinct but could kill you.  I dig all animals mostly with out fear.  I respect the ones that could actually hurt me but I don’t fear them.  Maybe it’s being raised around horses that I just don’t think most animals would bite or charge me. Ostriches aren’t most animals.

 

How did I come to learn such a thing?  Well, my friends Tom & Mette from Ranch Of The Oaks  have ostriches (among the other various critters living on the ranch).  My first real encounter with an ostrich was with the big male, he ran to the gate, dropped to the ground and proceeded to “court” me which involved him splaying his wings and hitting his head against his back in a loud unsettling “THUMP”.   From that day forward I stood away from the fence, something about that “THUMP” really bugged me.

Well, yesterday Tom & Mette sold four of their six birds.  I went up to photograph the craziness that followed.  I do not recommend getting in the pen with an ostrich.  An animal that can kick your head clean off your shoulders is best left to the experts.

I like this series because it shows the 4 stages of “Ostrich OMG”

Hooked and startled.

Pull the head down so they can’t kick your fool head off!  (I’d like to applaud Tom for his crazy ninja move with the rake in the back of the picture.)

And walk the bird to the trailer.

There was running…

In the end four birds were loaded into a specialized trailer and shipped off.

After that was done I spent a few hours as a mill slave processing fiber with Tom & Mette.  I don’t know that I was actually that helpful because they could probably run all the machines alone at once but it was super fun to chat.

One thing I’m super curious about is this – When did this become my life?  I really like it and it’s super fun, but when did ostriches, sheep, fiber, and other such craziness become my life?

Last thing of note is that I let a copy of Mildred out of my hands to be read by my dear friend Becky.  Right now I’m sure she is frowning in confusion and grimacing in pain at my writing.  I’m almost embarrassed enough to avoid her lol.  So far no one but family has started reading Mildred in depth and it kind of scares me to put myself out there like this.  Hopefully it’s not to painful for her!

Edit to add: Comments have been restricted due to spamming issues. I’ll be back to normal soon!