Indian Point Ostrich Ranch

 

After several hours of shopping in downtown Tehachapi, it was time to do something on the wild side. This is the ham who met us in one of the front display pens at the Indian Point Ostrich Ranch. Ralph was specifically chosen to greet the visitors because he is gentle and he really likes to pose for pictures. He didn’t even mind when I petted the feathers on his back.

Ralph was over six feet tall and had the black and white feathers typical of a male ostrich. The females’ feathers are brown.

For the very reasonable price of $4.00 per person, we got a guided tour around the ostrich ranch. That included viewing adult and very young birds and learning all sorts of facts about them. We also got to go inside the trailer that is used to transport them. At the end of the tour was a gift shop where many ostrich-related items can be purchased such as their huge empty egg shells and hand moisturizers made in part from the oil that is derived from ostrich fat. My friend, Dixie, has purchased lotion for herself and her mother in the past, and she was very satisfied with it.

Just when I thought the tour was over, Dixie got an amused grin on her face and informed all of us girlfriends that the best was yet to come.

I wasn’t really sure what was behind those closed doors. Yikes!

Dixie gladly sprang for $2.00 fee for each of us so we could experience some bird bonding. For that price, we were each given a metal bowl, which was filled with ostrich food. A long pole was attached to one side of the bowl.

When we opened the door to the bonding area, I fully expected the birds to rush forward and knock us over. Fortunately, there was an inner fence that kept the ostriches at bay. With their long necks, they had no problem reaching over the fence and eating from the bowls.

They pretty much inhaled their food.

Robin spends much of her time as a docent at a local living animal and bird museum, so she was right at home.

Vicky grew up riding horses, so she was okay with the huge birds.

Dixie was blown away by how fast the ostriches ate their food.

A good time was had by all.