Day 52: Owl-O-Ween 2016

Yesterday we went to Owl-O-Ween at the National Aviary!

I love how surly the burrowing owl always looks. He should seriously
be my spirit animal.

Per our 60 Days of Halloween tradition, we headed to Pittsburgh yesterday afternoon to hang out with owls!

First off, the bad stuff about this weekend's visit. This was the busiest we've ever seen the Aviary, and unfortunately, that brought out the worst in some people. A couple came in behind us, and while we were waiting in line to pay admission, an Aviary staff member went ahead and stamped all our hands to speed things up. Perhaps not the best move since no more than a minute or so later, when all the nearby staff members were busy assisting other people, the couple behind us just decided to sneak out of the line completely and go into the exhibits (there wasn't a clearly roped-off area to keep them from doing so; the Aviary basically uses hand stamps and the honor system when things get busy). Now perhaps this couple paid at some other ticket booth elsewhere, but that possibility seems rather unlikely. This was quite a disappointing thing to witness considering that THE AVIARY IS A CHARITY. The money from admission goes back to help protect the very birds that you see on exhibit. So you know, when you're evaluating life decisions, it's never a very nice choice to rip off a nonprofit.

After all, how are they going to feed the penguins if you just stomp all
over the Aviary without paying a dime?

Anyhow, the birds were awesome as always. We missed the Eurasian Eagle Owl session in the morning, though we briefly saw staff members bringing one in and out of the rooms later on. I think the owl was the famed Pumpkin, but that could just be wishful thinking.

This year, the sloths were a big main event too, seeing that the baby sloth is about to turn one year old! There is even a sloth birthday party this year on October 30th and 31st! Aww, baby sloths grow up so fast!

Sloth-vision!

At the Story Time with the Screech Owl, we got to hear An Adventure with Olivia Owl and meet a brand new screech owl: Cypress! Barkley will always be my favorite screech owl, but Cypress is a cutie too!

And yes, there is a story time each year, and yes, we always attend it.
There are owls there!

Such a tiny little gal!

Look at those big peepers! *swoons*

A very pensive screech owl.

Chilling with Cypress!

As usual, there were awesome owl crafts, and naturally, I headed to the official craft table and made a brand new owl for our refrigerator.

This is my serious craft face.

I think I shall call him George. Because why not?

On the way out, we stopped at the Owl-O-Ween photo exhibit for a quick picture. I look a little shifty-eyed here, but that's okay! I just match my new owl's expression!

Me and my owl, just chilling in the hay.

If you are in the Pittsburgh area, then I definitely recommend heading out to Owl-O-Ween next Saturday, October 29th! And when you do, please pay your admission. The birds will thank you.