Cloud!

Kindergartners were treated to a real life "still life" in Tracy's Art class last Thursday when a rescued pigeon named "Cloud" stopped by from the Bird Center of Washtenaw County.
Ks heard its journey from a private owner to the Center for safe keeping.

 The first thing on the agenda was a quiet atmosphere and a meal fit for a bird.   A brief description of other birds was also given.  One of the Interns that accompanied Cloud's caregiver showed the difference between the largest bird, the ostrich's egg and that of the smallest bird-the hummingbird.   That egg is the size of a jelly bean.
 

The intern also brought a real ostrich egg that had its yolk "blown out" and shell dried.  The importance of feathers and the size and type of wing on birds was also explained.

Next, Cloud made its appearance and seemed very comfortable around the children.  We observed how its foot did not grow properly and was reverted backward but how the bird had adapted to it even in its extended lifespan.  It was also explained that this foot malformity possibly could prevent the bird from  landing properly after flight.  Cloud seemed perfectly contented, however, in his habitat at the center.  Lastly, Clouds wing was extended to observe wing details.  Kindergartners put pencil to paper and began sketching this beautiful and very peaceful creature.  The Ks (and the rest of the Art classes) will be using details from their drawings to make some three -dimensional birds of their own, Tracy stated.