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Wings and water at the Falls
By Marci Bulloch-Contributing writer
Niagara Falls-Tip No. 1 when visiting a free-flying aviary: Don't sit or stand under the trees.
Tip No. 2 when visiting a free-flying aviary: Carry a hankie.
It is sometimes said that having a bird deposit its wastes on you is a sign of good fortune. In my case, at the Niagara Falls Aviary in Niagara Falls, Ont., it was more a sign of ill-preparedness. No one gave me the above-mentioned tips before I went in.
But then, if you want to feel as though you have stepped back in time, into a place hidden from the present and the outside world, you sometimes have to take your lumps, which is how I felt as I made my way through the Birds of the Lost Kingdom exhibit at this new Niagara attraction.
Bird-lovers Marilyn and Larry Vann created the aviary in one of the oldest buildings in the Falls. While it previously housed the Niagara Falls Museum, the building was originally constructed in 1907 as the Spinney Corset Factory. It opened in May 2003 as home to an aviary comprising three distinct areas: the songbird collection, the dark and mysterious nocturnal exhibit, and the exotic, superlative, multi-level, tropical rainforest.
Passing from the nocturnal aviary, through the door into the 14,000 square foot main aviary, I felt as though I had ventured into a land undiscovered.
The sun was streaming through the vaulted glass ceiling, water was rushing down a 35-foot waterfall, and through the jungle foliage I glimpsed the exquisite hand carving of a 19th century nobleman's house from Java. Exotic colourful birds flew overhead, around and below, their screeches and squawks filling the thick air. In that moment, I was Indiana Jones.
Hornbills, thrush, touraco and lorikeets are only a few of the 74 species of birds at home in the Niagara Falls Aviary. Visitors are welcome to hand feed the Australian rainbow lorikeets, but be wary, as they were quite intrigued by my beaded necklace. In fact, two lorikeets contentedly perched at my neck alternately pecking at it until they undid the clasp. Their displeasure with me was obvious when I took off the dangling necklace and hid it in my pocket.
It was hard to imagine that literally outside the doors of the Aviary is Ontario's most magnificent natural attraction. Here the Niagara River plummets 52 metres over the Horseshoe Falls into the gorge below.
Daredevils have been fascinated with this thundering torrent of whitewater since 1859, when the first plucky adventurer crossed the gorge on a tightrope. Since then, over 80 others have challenged the gorge, including 18 who have gone over the falls. The first to attempt this stunt was Annie Taylor, who made the journey in 1901 in a barrel made of oak. She survived. But since then, many have not.
Even in the 21st century, the appeal of Horseshoe Falls remains. The most recent to challenge the rush was Kirk Jones in October 2003, the first to ever brave the tumultuous waters without aid. His jump into the Niagara River and subsequent tumble down the falls was without safety line or flotation device. The Niagara Falls Daredevil Museum showcases a vast collection of memorabilia, including photos and some of the barrels used to go over the falls.
The city of Niagara Falls, with a population of only 80,000, shares itself with roughly 20 million visitors each year. It is situated on the beautiful Niagara Peninsula, which separates Lake Erie from Lake Ontario. Lake Erie empties into Lake Ontario via the Niagara River, with Niagara Falls being roughly halfway between the two.
The Niagara River is the dividing line between Canada and the United States. The border is generally considered to be midway across the river's width.
Many years ago, when the region's winters were much harsher, there would be such a buildup of ice on the river that locals and tourists could walk, skate or slide across it to the other side. This became such a popular activity that business-minded folk would drag shacks out onto the ice from which they would sell their wares. Those who were selling liquor would be sure to place their stalls roughly midway across the frozen waters to ensure a loophole if they were to be prosecuted for the illegal selling of alcohol. After all, who could rightly say whether they were on the American or Canadian side of the border? Activity on the ice bridge was outlawed in the winter of 1912 when a sudden breakup of the ice sent four people down river to their deaths.
Niagara Falls is a pleasure to visit at any time of year. And with 2004 being the city's centennial, this is definitely the year to visit. An ongoing schedule of events showcasing the Falls' history gives a fresh and interesting perspective, providing even locals with new insight to a much loved city and region.
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