My kind of video. An imperial eagle named Darshan, wearing a tiny video camera, was released today from the top of the Burj Khalifa, tallest building in the world, to soar around the tower and then return to his handler, Jacques-Olivier Travers. Throughout the flight he watches his handler on the ground for cues, first to soar and then to return to the ground. The flight set a record for the highest recorded bird flight from a manmade structure, and lucky BBC viewers got to see it live.
I had several specific thoughts while watching. The first: Man has no business building anything that high, much less actually being that high without either a plane or a parachute. And the second, as the eagle was diving toward the ground: “Dude, pull up! Pull up!”
The flight was staged and filmed by the Freedom Conservation to raise awareness of endangered raptors and encourage conservation.
That was just too cool PT. I agree with your thoughts on both the building and that awesome landing! 😀
I know about eagles’ vision, but still, to think he was watching his handler’s commands from that high up just blows my mind. Amazing creatures.
Beautiful bird, not so beautiful city
Yes, I get goosebumps watching him fly.
Have you been to Dubai? My only foreign travel has been to Mexico.
No, but I’ve seen enough photos to know I don’t want to go.
I’ve always been impressed by the fabulous, creative architecture there, made possible by all their oil money. Not so impressed by the way the workers are supposedly treated. And I know I’d hate the climate.
This is very cool. Love your “pull up” comment. (Do you wonder just what that eagle thought about his camera load? Affect steering much? Sore muscles afterwards? “The things I’ll do for a snack” thoughts?)