A Walk on the Wild Side...

Yesterday we visited the South Lakes Wild Animal Park at Dalton. What an amazing experience it was! The park is dedicated to animal conservation and is involved in breeding programmes for several severely threatened species. The pictures above and below this text feature Sumatran Tigers. These are estimated to be down to only 400 animals remaining in the wild! The feeding time for these magnificent animals is one of those things that just has to be seen. Watching as they leap up a 20ft pole to seize their meal really brings home the power of these beautiful cats.

The problems of keeping kids amused! This Siamang was definitely not in the mood to indulge this youngster.

Now you see it...

On Saturday we attended a craft fair in the grounds of Belvoir Castle . The first thing I saw as we entered was a Peregrine Falcon swooping across the path. There was a superb falconry demonstration, featuring Harris Hawks, Saker Falcons, Eagle Owls and of course the Peregrine. This for me was the highlight. To watch this bird in such close proximity was such a joy. The speed and stealth of this bird as it came at the lure, literally skimming the heads of those of us watching has to be seen to be believed! The picture below shows one of the Harris Hawks in flight.