The Bird of Prey Centre, Old Warden Park, Near Biggleswade, Bedfordshire

Next year Lara is in the 'Eagle' Class at her school and within that class she is in the 'Bateleur Eagle' group. So, today we decided to pay a visit to The Birds of Prey Centre (home of The English School of Falconry) at Old Warden Park, Near Biggleswade in Bedfordshire, to try and find a Bateleur Eagle. The Centre has over 2000 birds including Owls, Eagles, Falcons, Kites and Vultures and whilst not a bird of prey they even have a Stork.

We were able to see lots of birds during our visit - but sadly whilst we were told that there was a Bateleur Eagle at the Centre, it is privately owned and not on public display. We did get a glimpse of it from the back of its aviary but not a very clear view.

The other birds were easy to see and I took lots of photos. Unfortunately, I can't remember what type of birds of prey they all were.

I think this next one was a juvenile American Bald Eagle minus the characteristic white head feather which don't appear until they are about 5 years old.

A Barn Owl.

I think this next one is an American Fish Eagle.

One of the hi-lights of the day was when visitors were given the opportunity to have a go at flying an owl them self. Lara and I both flew a Barn Owl.

Scarecrow Festival

OMG it is ages since I've posted any photos on this blog. My A-Z photography challenge fell by the wayside I'm afraid. It seemed like such a good idea but I just couldn't come up with ideas of what to photograph each fortnight so sadly, I gave up.

Anyway, I have some photos to post today.

This weekend is our bi-annual Village Scarecrow Festival in aid of the parish church. Followers of my blog may recall seeing the photos I posted in 2009 and also maybe the photos I posted on my Scrapping blog in 2007.

Apologies for the length of this rather photo heavy post - there were so many great scarecrows around the village today (braving the showery weather) that I just had to share them.

This musical quartet were cute sitting on a wall with country music playing in the background.

Igglepiggle from 'In the Night Garden' was peeping from this garden.

There was a street party taking place.........

.......... and a lady selling lavender.

Outside a house (formally a butchers shop) was a whole shop complete with scarecrow butcher and scarecrow customers. Love the rabbits hanging up for sale at the back - awwww (click on the photo for a closer look)

There was a super witch .........

......... and a couple of figures outside one of the pubs including Borat in his mankini!

There were scarecrows carrying out motor repairs.

Romeo ..............

............. and his Juliet.

Captain Hook.

Where's Wally? - there he is!

Scarecrows lazing in the sunshine.............

.......... and hiding in tents.

And one of our favourites, Sponge Bob, was there

The scarecrows get better each year and how everyone decides what scarecrow to make I don't know. Maybe next time we'll make our own - we have two years to come up with an idea.