Yup. I pet an ostrich today. I didn’t

Yup.  I pet an ostrich today.  I didn’t even have to go to the zoo! 

This adventure began when I went to Hemet today for work.  Now, Hemet is a…. nice….little town.  Population around 66K, nestled up near the mountains, with very… affordable living.

Anyways, so I had a session there, and somewhere in that little town, someone has like, 3 ostriches in their yard (or so it seems).  I first saw them a few months ago while driving around the neighborhood.  It kind of took me by surprise and I thought “Wow.  That’s…. interesting.”  So today, the kids wanted to go see the ostriches.  So we did. 

Now, I’ve never had a fear of birds, but when they are twice as big as you, you have to feel a little intimidated.  And all that separated us was a simple, chest-high chain-link fence.  I guess these ostriches were used to having visitors and being fed, because they came right up to us.  Bravely, I reached over and pet its wing.  Then I kind of freaked out and backed away a little bit.  Then one of the kids that was with me was like “pick me up so I can pet it!!”  And all I could think was Umm…. How about NOT.  I swore that one of these birds was going to bite someone’s nose off…  I did NOT want to be responsible for that!  But he asked again very nicely, so I quickly lifted him up a bit so he could reach.  But as soon as he touched the feathers, I put him back down. 

It was kind of cool, but a fairly terrifying experience.  I was nervous, and I KNEW those birds could tell…. I could see it in their eyes…. Those huge eyes, and that long beak, and their face….  *shivers*  It was exciting, but I was very happy when we walked away.