ROAD TRIP DAY!*!
Off we drove to Abu Dhabi to tour the
FALCON HOSPITAL!
We left really early because,
well ,you know,
even using a map, Google Maps, and a Garmin,
you just never know when traveling through the UAE!
And we certainly didn't want to miss
our tour of the
FALCON HOSPITAL!
We actually made it.....with over an hour to spare!
(Even after a couple of Loops of Shame!)
Because we were so early,
we got to walk around and see other areas,
like the shelter with over 80 dogs up for adoption!
We were all so excited to walk through
and see the dogs, however,
it proved to be really kind of sad.
All the pups needed a home and a lap to call their own!
(Do you know anyone that wants a faithful pet?)
It was awesome, however, to walk through the
Saluki Breeding and Training Center located close by the
FALCON HOSPITAL!
This, of course, was one of the highlights of the day!
The Director of the Center
came out and spoke with us after offering us
Arabic coffee and tea!
Close by the Saluki Center was an owl aviary
where we were able to get up close and personal with
some owls!
Finally it was time for the
FALCON HOSPITAL
tour!
The five of us entered the reception area
armed with our cameras!
Our tour guide was a delightful young man
who immediately dubbed us the "Camera Crew"!
It was like we were in a normal hospital,
with the exception of the
patients that were lined up waiting patiently!
Oh, and it was the first time we'd ever seen a scale
for weighing birds!
One of the patients was trying desperately to relax
by doing some yoga moves!
We saw a falcon being given an
anesthetic.
We got to touch the falcon and watched
as the veterinarian spread its wings
and explained the falcon molting process.
He explained that if the talons get too long,
the pads of the feet get damaged.
So they rub a healing cream (expensive and from Germany)
on the feet and put a pad on them
to aid the healing process!
(Yoga bird had the pads on his feet!)
Then he proceeded to trim the nails,
clean up the nails using a sharp edge,
and finally sharpen the nails using a dremel tool.
It was soooo cool to watch!
After the nails were cut, the beak was trimmed as well.
He showed us the falcon's ears
as the bird was beginning to wake up!
Then we each got to hold a falcon!
We gathered round our tour guide
for a picture
of him with his "Camera Crew"!
And yet another photo opp with this
funny (and really helpful) guy and one funny looking camel!
Then off we went to the Viceroy Hotel
at the Yas Marina Circuit!
We stopped just to take some pictures,
but ended up having a wonderful lunch there!
Here's the photo of the day!
We all were taking pictures of the track.....
mind you, this was not posed!
And this is what we were taking pictures of -- race cars!
Touring the
FALCON HOSPITAL
was an absolutely delightful experience!
If you live in Dubai, or are visiting....you simply must GO!
