NationStates Jolt Archive

Free entry to Members

Entrance fees:

Non-Members
*P5 adults
*P2.50 children/concessions




The sun shone down on the lush green field. The grass firm but soft.
Surrounding the field, there stood 30ft conifers. Rows of tables were lined up on one side of a fence, the other a number of cars were parked.

To one side towards the entrance was a wooden shelter with two wodden benches. A wooden sign post stood erect at one corner. It read 'Shuttle Stop'.

A hooter sounded and a fuel-cell powered vehicle came into view. It was blue with a green stripe. Apart from the hooter, it made very litle noise.

Herds of people of all ages moved through the gate at the entrance. Members just showed their cards and were waved through.

Fenced off areas were situated down the main thoroughfare.
In the centre of each one stood a wooden stand.

Boxes and crates were lieing beside them. A few squarks could be heard coming from some of the boxes. At the very end, underneath a large white canopy was the IBIS Society's organiser's display. At one corner, was a deck covered with black plastic with a pool set into it. A little penguin was swimming around in it occasionally bobbing its head out of the water.

The vehicle stopped by the shelter and the front lowered to the ground gradually. The doors opened and seconds later, kids, their parents and the other passengers filed off the bus.

Once it was all empty, the bus moved off.


Back on the field, in an open area surrounded by a high fence, kids were playing ball games. Not so far away from that were some picnic tables and at them sat a few adults eating sandwiches with their children sitting beside them.

The Alfegan division of the brid society arrived, with a few rare and unique birds: The Greater Go Away bird, yelling its call of "go away" to everyone nearby; The Spotted Banshee, which when threatened let loose an ear-splitting screech from its tiny iridescent body; and of course, the Rai'Fegos, a massive bird of prey, covered in shiny blue, red and green feathers, its wicked claws and beak showing thorugh its cage, carried by two men.


They set up thier stand, letting the birds fly free: they were captive birds, and they were trained. As long as the Rai'Fegos didn't go for anyone or anything...

The show was well underway and people were migling with each other, kids were calling to their mothers, "Look, look."

The penguin which was a humboldt entertained the children with its antics.

In a pen was an Glossy Ibis, the symbol of the society. Lots of pictures were posted on baord nearby.

There would be a children's competition split into 4 age groups. This would involve drawing a picture of any of the birds on display.

A row of falcons rested on their wooden perch. All of the same genus.

The Fego'rai was let out of its cage. If flew up onto a perch set up, glinting in the sunlight as its shiny red breast caught the sun.

It then began toprren itself, keeping a large watchful eye on the other two birds. One hopped down and started feeding on some milliet, before jumping up and yelling at a startled onlooker

"Go away!"

Ivan Gangnarvich was a well known photographer for the Drvarskan Geographic magazine. Today he was posted in Penguinum to attend the IBIS bird show. He was excited as he loved birds of all kinds and he got out one of best cameras to take some good shots for the DG magazine.

He walked up to the entrance of the gate and paid the fare to get in. Immediatly he saw a large pool with penguins popping around, he walked over and started to take some good pictures.

He then proceeded over to the Alfegan birds which he found most unusual but such an interesting story to write about. He got out his camera and started to take photos of them as well.

Keith Wetfoot noticed the photographer and invited him to take a look at the birds around explaining that IBIS has taken its own photographs to display on their website.

He explained about the bird shows were more than just birds.

"It's a great chance..." he said, "...for children and adults alike to get together and appreciate the true wonder nature. Birds, I feel, really are the masters of the sky. There are many different varieites. Our treasurer, Elli Ilis and team has brought along a 'Go away bird' Corythaixoides leucogaster. This I beleive is the white bellied variety. There is also a grey one which looks bigger. My penguins are in fact 'Humboldt' Spheniscus humboldti."

Children of all ages were sitting on the grass in front of the pens and cages trying hard to draw pictures of the birds. One kid aged 5 started crying when the Go Away bird called out.

His mother laughed and picked him up, "Don't worry Charlie. It's just the sound it makes"

Almat Minyer was sent to the said venue since there were no one else who took the job.

His mission this however is for eucational purpose taking photos watch the bird do something interesting and return back to the empire and submit of what he has witness.

Almat Minyer: Now where was that keith fellow

The go away bird continued making idle threats towards the little children, then hopped back to its perch as the Fego'rai took off into the sky, doing a few laps before landing.

The rep. there talked to the photgrapher.

"The Fego'rai is quite rare: there are only about 560 breeding pairs left. This is one of the ones in captivity. They are very beautiful, yet are birds of prey. Very unusual."

Ivan Gangnarvich listened with great interest to the staff members as they explained their species of birds. Ivan started to talk about why he was there.

"I am working for the Drvarskan Geographic and have heard that the bird shows here are absolutly amazing as such I am witnessing now. This is great information your telling me thank you. It will go great in my article that I am writing." he said as he got out a small note pad and jotted down some information.

He went on admiring the birds and continued to take pictures, he zoomed in on the Fego'rai which he found a big interest.

Jean Mersians was a photographer for the popular magazine "Novan Animals", and was sent to pick up some photos of the IBIS sponsored bird show.

She started showing a big interest in the Alfegosian birds, especially the "Screaming" one.

The spotted banshee had hidden away for most of the time, not making much noise while it was watched. When the camera flashed however...

The Alfegans wtill couldn't hear 5 minutes later.

Keith spotted another photographer and welcomed him to join in the tour.

"Wildlife is my life," he explained, "especially birds because they are the most colourful and diverse creatures around. It's truly amazing the way they fly. My back garden in fact is a haven for wildlife."

The IBIS posters displayed the program and right at the bottom was the website URL
www.IBISociety.pg (http://uk.geocities.com/ibisociety/home.html)

Contact us at: enquiries@IBISociety.pg (ibisociety@yahoo.co.uk)

or contact Keith directly: keith.wetfoot@green_affairs.pingov.pg (pingov@lycos.com)