Trying to film flying

So I charged my camera and took Manzi, Maui and Hercules outside, all excited about making a new flying video. Manzi did a small flight to me, while being filmed. I gave him a treat and sent him to his stand. He decided he didn't want to land on his stand and instead did a couple of circles (at the end of his leg leash) and landed on the grass. He no longer wanted any treats either. He was not very happy. I'm not sure if it was because I had someone else filming or what. The other person was present two days before when Manzi did an excellent job flying, so it is not like that was new.

Anyway, we still have a ways to go before he is ready for free flights.

Maui did much better outside than the previous two times. She is getting less and less nervous and this last time she ate treats and walked a bit. The first time she wouldn't really move and the second time she moved slightly, but never took a full step. This time she was more relaxed. Hopefully she gets more and more comfortable outside.

Hercules is loving the outdoors. He is munching away on fresh grass, enjoying the sun.

Flying again

Today I finally took Manzi outside flying. It was awfully windy, although I couldn't tell until I went outside with him. Manzi didn't seem to mind the wind. He has been going crazy for peanuts, so I used those as treats. I kept Manzi on a leg leash, but he was so happy to be outside that he didn't pay it any attention. I had Manzi do some short flights (only up to 20'). When the wind picked up, Manzi wobbled more than I've ever seen before, but he still landed every single flight.

I had him flying to me into the wind. Manzi did all his flights from the ground. That is not ideal, but I forgot about my speaker stand.

I am really excited about his flying. Manzi just had a meal too, but he did fantastic. I will increase the flight distance over the next few weeks and then start letting him free fly. I have seen bald eagles in the area, but no hawks, not even red-tail hawks (the most common hawks here). If a bald eagle picked up Manzi, there wouldn't be much I could do. On the other hand, it seems highly unlikely that I would miss a bald eagle (they don't perch in any nearby trees and only twice have I ever spotted them in the area) and I think Manzi would definitely be much more agile and be able to outmaneuver one.