Cathi Poole's Rheas

 It's a strange feeling when a bird, standing a metre in front of you, looks you straight in the eye. Just waying you up for any sign of fear or that attractive bit of fringe on your scarf.

We'd been looking forward to seeing Cathi's birds and weren't disappointed. These large (huge) flightless birds have been hand reared and are incredibly tame. They have the most amazing spherical eyes and must have 340 degree vision, seemingly missing the 20 degrees directly in front of their line of sight.











There are other rare breeds knocking around from West Indian whistling ducks to Soay sheep.  I think I could have got a better sheep picture but he had that 'Come on, step over the fence, make my day,' look in his eye.

 

From Wiki:
Rheas are large, flightless birds with gray-brown plumage, long legs and long necks, similar to an ostrich. Males of R. americana can reach 1.50 metres (4.9 ft), and weigh up to 40 kilograms (88 lb). Their wings are large for a flightless bird and are spread while running, to act like sails Unlike most birds, rheas have only three toes. Their tarsus has horizontal plates on the front of it. They also store urine separately in an expansion of the cloaca.

We were too near the sea to resist a trip and set off for Hornsea. The East coast never ceases to amaze me. Low, brown waves and pebbley shores. Amusement arcades and the best fish and chips fried in lard. Returning over the Humber Bridge. A very memorable day. Thanks, Cathi and Harry, Sausage and Frilly.