Sunday, February 1, 2009

Target practice.

*WARNING*
If you are a bird lover you may be offended by this post. Press the back arrow NOW!

Ever heard of a bird called the Hadeda(Haa-dee-daa)? It is related to the ibis and as far as I know it is indigenous to Southern Africa.



They are best known by their call – ha-ha-ha-ha-hadaha – hence their name. The call of a single bird is unexpectedly loud and the noise made by a whole flock that has been disturbed and takes to the air, is enough to waken the dead. They are usually heard calling when flying (hence the myth that they are scared of heights.. and flying).


They are a real pain.... yes, I know that they serve the purpose of aerating the soil and keeping the locust and worm population down ..... but they are a pest!! Their favourite spot is the apex of our roof where they love to do big white runny poops.
SOLUTION ........ MrGee struck upon the idea to scare them away with WizzKids paintball gun. Since Tanzi is in the garden the most, she slotted beautifully into the role as our look-out scout. She sounds the alarm with a shrill call ... " They're on the roof, they're on the roof!!" The boys stop whatever they are doing, grab the paintball gun and head for the sniper balcony.


They take aim and fire! Occassionally they hit the bird, other times they just scare the bejeebers out of them. The boys are starting to see this as target practice for the day when Grandpa Boom eventually gets to take them game hunting !
We live in Africa, and the thrill of hunting seems to be in blood of MrGee's family!

xx


5 comments:

Beth said...

Thanks for giving a laugh this morning! No offense taken here! Great way to get more target practice, eh?

ByHISgoodGrace said...

I actually miss that sound! It was the first thing I ever noticed on the first video R sent me! The one Whizzkid was on!
But, I'm sure after years and years the novelty wears off--plus the poop is gross!!!

Anonymous said...

HI FEE,
I ALSO LOVE THE HISTORY THIS YEAR. IT IS AWESOME. WANTED TO ASK YOU WHAT MICROSCOPE YOU BOUGHT WHEN YOU WERE DOING THE SCIENCE 4 WITH THE KIDS AND DID YOU BUY ANY OF THE SUPPLY KITS. THE PACIFIC ISLANDS DAY LOOKED LIKE SUCH FUN.

Kate said...

Your life is not boring!!

meNmykids said...

Yea! Go boys, we are a hunting family and although I feel temperance should be used with endangered species I think it is good clean fun for the boys. And a way to curtail the raucous laughter of the birds. How big are the birds? They look big.