It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s…Birdly!

/ Jodi

It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s… Birdly!

Hubby and I made a little visit this past weekend to the National Aviary located in our beautiful city of Pittsburgh.

It’s pretty awesome having America’s only independent indoor nonprofit zoo dedicated exclusively to birds in our own “backyard” with a diverse collection of more than 500 birds representing more than 150 species from around the world, many of them threatened or endangered in the wild.

And guess what?  We’ve never visited it before this past weekend!

Bird lovers that we have become…..  meet some of our new friends.

I wish I could remember their names and species, but maybe some of you are better at identifying.  I simply found them fascinating and beautiful.

The eagle took my breath away.

But wait….. what is this rare bird?

It’s Hubby as a virtual reality eagle flying over New York City on BIRDLY!

Have you ever dreamed of flying like a bird?  BIRDLY has made that possible, and we were able to experience it on our recent visit.

The exhilarating flight simulation experience allows you to fly like a bird while lying on the simulator chest down, flapping your arms using hinged wings, and controlling  your direction and speed while a fan simulates headwinds. Motors and actuators tilt and dip your body in response. The sensory-motor coupling essentially tricks the brain, so between the motion, wind, sound and visuals, you are effectively flying!

For me it was exciting and terrifying at the same time.  Biggest ninny poo poo of all time, I am deathly afraid of heights.  But I wasn’t going to let that stop me.  It is clearly safe, and oh what a feeling of freedom it was!

So yep – got to experience flying like a bird this past weekend!  I’d say that’s a check off the ole’ bucket list for sure!  Hubby was so busy telling me how to flap my wings, he didn’t think to take a picture.  Does that surprise anyone that knows him!?!?

He really was trying to help me as I was…. [ahem]… let’s say the “most vocal” of all the flyers that afternoon…

If you get a chance, do visit the National Aviary and take a flight on Birdly where you can “Fly Like an Eagle.”

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

62 thoughts on “It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s…Birdly!”

  1. Fantastic photos Jodi. Looks like a great place to visit. I think the most frightening thing for me would be how to get off the simulator once on! lol! What a fabulous machine.
    Flo x

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  4. Honestly your pictures would be the pride of a wildlife photographer. Stunning. And that flying experience …. I share your vertigo but I guess I would have to try it because who wouldn’t want to feel what’s it’s like to be a bird soaring effortlessly. Thank you for sharing this. It goes on my wish-list for my next US extravaganza

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  6. Oh my what a great post! We must make a visit there! We live so close to the National Aviary in Pgh! We are definitely going for a visit. for sure. soon! Thanks for the wonderful pics Jodi!

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  7. Wow Jodi, That place is cool. The photo of all the birds are beautiful (especially the last one—-birdly!) Do I feel a new “Jodi” water color art in the making? I definite want to add the bird sanctuary museum to my bucket list when I visit you in Mars some day so that I can “Fly like the wind and spread my wings a bit”. By the way….going to send a couple of photos to you shortly that I took yesterday of a large flock of Florida birds that were just hanging around in a stream of water on MacDill AFB. Enjoy! Gary

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  9. 500 Birds from around the world in one place, amazing!! Benjamin would absolutely love the National Aviary! Your photos are fantastic, especially that endangered species on Birdly. While I do admire your brave spirit of adventure into the unknown, you could not pay me to get on that contraption. I was nauseous just reading about it. I’m a firm believer that if God wanted me to fly, I’d already have wings. While curious, I’m very cautious too. Thank-you for sharing another special place in Pittsburgh.

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  15. What a fun thing to cross off your bucket list! I might just have to put it on my list too, cuz I’d love to go back and visit Pittsburgh! I thought of you as we drove a {huge} moving van through the state of PA in July. :o) What a gorgeous state you live in! Previously, I’d only been to Philly, but the western side is SO green and beautiful. I LOVED that part of our semi-stressful driving experience! And, I tried your Apricot Pork Tenderloin recently. As always, thank you for the great recipes!!! Take care!

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    • It is a beautiful state – so many long for all warm weather and sunshine, but I do so love the change of season and the deep green from too much rain 🙂 And oh you make me want to make that tenderloin again. and next time you are coming through – let’s connect! 🙂

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  18. How cool, Jodi! The National Aviary just went on my bucket list (actually, I didn’t have a bucket list until this minute). Now, I just have to find a reason to go to Pittsburgh…. I’ve been back there a few times for the annual Creative Nonfiction Conference. Better start saving my pennies for another. Thanks for introducing me to my new favorite place.

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  19. Thanks for the giggle!! You ninny poo poo! Lol! 🤣😂 Looks like you had fun! I think it would feel a bit freaky “flying” like a bird but I’d love to try it some day! 🦅 And love your photos – so many cool birds!!👍

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  20. Beautiful photography. Enjoyed your taking us along with you, and sharing that hysterical picture of hubby in that contraption. Oh by the way, congratulate him for me for not taking photos of you in that thing. That would have been the equivalent to answering the question ” does this dress make look fat” . Well done hubby very diplomatic of him if you me. Also had a fear of heights, maybe someday they’ll figure a way for a machine like that to help overcome that fear. Great job, love the story and both images real photos, and imaginary ones you create with words.

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