Hanging Around

This is a Malaysian fruitbat which is apparently one of the largest species in the world. They were in the rainforest aviary and it was incredible to be able to get so close to them. With some amazing luck I had the aviary to myself at just the time when the keepers came to do the afternoon feeding.

It was one thing to know in theory that bats could fly without hitting objects it was quite another to be close enough to feel the air move as they almost brushed past me as they made there way towards the fruit that had been laid on for them.

This portrait isn't perfect and to be honest I was a little hesitant to get any closer in case they mistook me for a piece of fruit.