Methuselah, a golden eagle, learning to fly after 27 years in a cage. Photo: Murdo MacLeod
Here we have a pleasing conclusion to the disturbing tale of Methuselah a Golden Eagle grounded and caged for 27 years by “collectors” At first, the 31-year-old liberated bird could barely fly for three metres, but now she can soar for hundreds of metres in a single flight.
After nearly 30 years in captivity, living in a cage measuring four metres square, the venerable bird of prey has had to be retaught the most basic of skills, flying.
Moreover, the symbolism does not pass me by.
Good luck Methuselah and happy Woman’s Day.
Kudos to Delphyne
Happy International Women’s Day, Sparkle (and everybody else)!
I may zoom around my living room today flapping my wings, I mean arms, in honour of Methuselah. That Abba song is already going through my head:
“And I dream I’m an eagle
And I dream I can spread my wings
Flying high, high, I’m a bird in the sky
I’m an eagle that rides on the breeze
High, high, what a feeling to fly
Over mountains and forests and seas
And to go anywhere that I please”
Just around your living room? I’m flapping to the shops later on
Others of us (including Michelle, her friend Laura, the EmFems, Grace and SlipTee) braved the appalling London weather and waved placards at the Million Women Rise march.
Just about everyone got fooled by the morning weather which looked like it would be partially sunny and cool. By 11am in London, it had turned to overcast, windy, and damn-near freezing. Stoopid London weather.
Great speakers at the rally afterwards.
A couple of incidents, will fill you in elsewhere.
Anyway, the above symbolism wasn’t wasted on me! That poor bird being confined for so much of her life. The article did not mention the sex of her captor, the smart money is on a manz.
No the symbolism hasn’t been lost on me either. I’ve always had a fondness for eagles and just shows despite being held captive for 27 years at long last Methuselah has been given her freedom.
With care, respect and understanding this female eagle has regained her rightful freedom. Of course this has no relation to women and patriarchal oppression!!
I wanna be the woman who taught her to fly - it looks like the best job ever….
It does look like a fab job…
I also like Owls and we have a few around here, my neighbour Martin says they spook him out… Meh!
I know the women’s day is gone but I wanted to ask a question if it isn’t too much trouble for you.
Isn’t this day reinforcing the sexual gap that feminism is trying to solve?
Short answer - no - because we don’t have a level playing field.
Maybe you could say the same for civil rights or disability rights or…