Well New Year’s Day came and went. I only made one resolution.

I decided I would not rest until I had a decent non goofy looking photo of Zeus. So I prepared myself for an arduous year long journey of begging, treat offerings, bone buying blackmail and general doggyness. I took him out on the first day of the year to start our journey together and..

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Sooo…apparently I will have a lot of free time on my hands this year.

Which is great! Because it’s that time of year!

“What time of year?” you ask..

Well it’s the time of year for my favorite sporting event.

Yes it’s time for the Synchronized Aerobatic Flying Event.. SAFE for short.

Oh, you missed it? What a shame, let me give you the rundown.

As I arrived at the Rock River, the spectators, mostly from the Bald Eagle Fan Club, were beginning to arrive and jostling for seats.

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As they settled in, eagles to the left and center, herring gulls to the right and petrified ducks huddled in the middle, the juvenile eagles (juveniles have brown heads, they don’t get their white feathers for several years. This greatly helps reduce the sale of liquor to young eagles although occasionally one tries the old dump a box of cornstarch on the head trick to fool unwitting vendors) put on a rousing demonstration show featuring a half pike, reverse vertical aileron position. Well done, young ones!

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With the demonstration over and anticipation for the main event growing, a roar came from the crowds. Shrieks, piping whistles and loud kuk kuk kuk calls came from the eagles and gulls and even the petrified ducks occasionally omitted a small quavery quack.

Then the first team for the pairs entered the arena. A shocked silence filled the air as the referee called out their names.

” Ladies and Gentlebirds! Please welcome for their first time at the Annual SAFE Competition….

Seigel the Eagle and Egal the Seagull!!”

That’s right for the first time in history, an eagle and a gull had paired up. Shocking, right.

But soon their beautiful highly technical set, performed to an exceptionally moving version of  U2’s “Window in the Skies” sung by the charming Crimson Cardinal Chorus, delighted the crowd.

Here they execute a lovely Lunkenheimer air taxi move with their legs in perfect tuck position.

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And here’s the infamous tetrahedron wings up yaw maneuver. Bravo, I say! Bravo!

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Followed by the cross volitant split flap maneuver.

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Please note, I did apologize to Egal the Seagull for the fuzziness of  his photos. My camera was acting up in the cold. It was downright icy out there. He was a bit miffed at first. Then we got to talking and I told him how, on my great grandmother’s birth certificate from 1886 London, England, my great great grandfather’s job is listed as “Scavenger”. Once we realized we both came from a long line of honorable, hard working Scavengers ( with a capitol S, please) we got along like a house afire. Strange term “a house afire”, connotates affability between parties but I’ve had a house afire and let me tell you it’s anything but affable. Now don’t try that yourself, just trust me on that one.

Of course as per usual over in the judging feeders, the officials were fighting tooth and nail. To no one’s surprise the French judge, flew off in a huff.

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After much discussion and some squawking, squabbles were settled and Seigel the Eagle and Egal the Seagull were befeathered SAFE champions of the year. In honor of the historical SAFE interavian champion performers and much to the relief of the petrified ducks (that huddled mass at the bottom center) the crowds dispersed peacefully.

Rumor has it that the pair are now being considered for the Nobel Peace Prize.

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Sure a few straggling hecklers had to fly by the stands and mock the crowd.

But all in all it was a good day.

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Mark your calenders and don’t forget to come out for this inspiring sporting event next year!

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©Virginia Spencer, thepurpledogpaintingblog, 2013