The National Aviary

According to our family museum expert, the National Aviary is one of the top in the country.  We took her advice and found ourselves within touching distance of some amazing birds.  This place is an example of teaching at its most fun.  The labels are full of information told in an easy to understand format.  We learned a lesson in aerodynamics in this excellent display.

 Respect for animals and concern for the environment are part of every display.  Visitors are told of their role in both the risks to and the saving of our planet.  And still the birds rule for attention.

Steller’s Sea Eagle

Bateleur Eagle

Pigmy Falcon

Victoria Crown Pigeon from Australia

We got to help with feeding time by holding worms up for birds to grab.

The penguin rookery held our special attention

and we had a debate about adding this penguin painting to the art on the walls at home.

 We saw a Condor

and a Bald Eagle

 There are also a couple of  mammals in residence, a sloth and her young

and a Malayan Flying Fox which is actually a bat.

The pelican enjoys his fish treat.

In a special area butterflies rest on fingers coated a fruit mixture

One must-do activity in Pittsburgh is to go up the Duquesne Incline on Mt. Washington.  It is 800 feet long, climbs 400 feet in elevation at a 30 degree angle at six mph.  It opened in 1877 to help mill and factory workers avoid the switchback commute up the mountain.  It closed in 1962 but has reopened under the sponsorship a local resident foundation.  Now most of the passengers are tourists enjoying the thrill of the ride.

The operating machinery has changed little in 140 years.

The view of the three rivers of Pittsburgh (do you know them?) from atop the Incline is spectacular.

At the time we were there, the Pittsburgh Penguins were vying for the Stanley Cup and everywhere were Go Pens signs.  Jerry says it should say Go Pengs.

Back on flat ground, we visited the Heinz Chapel on the U Pitt campus.  The stained glass windows honored not only religious figures but lay people like Isaac Newton, Jane Austen and Abraham Lincoln.