A wonderful birthday surprise

[deeaimond]

I was in Bali, and we were just walking along the street when this little creature was just hanging there at eye level on a stray branch. I wanted to take him somewhere more peaceful, so took him and brought him to my hotel where they have a lovely garden. cradled him in my hand for a good hour or so while we walked back to the hotel. He just curled up and slept. liked it so much he refused to leave my hand when i tried to put him in a tree. needless to say, I wasn't able to bring him home to my country, so I cried when i had to leave him behind. I really cried... all my friends laughed at me for being the bat mama.

Bats are a good omen in both chinese and balinese culture, so i'm thinking i'll have a really blessed year ahead.






in the last picture, he was so tired from struggling not to be out in the tree he fell asleep right there and then in that awkward position, 10 mins later he woke up and hung upside down as bats should.

[shootingstar]

Happy birthday deeiamond. Thx for the photos on a different, friendlier side of bats..since some of us (like me) wouldn't think of cradling a bat in hand.

[jobob]

Oh wow, that is really something. Happy birthday indeed!

[Owlie]

Aww, so cute!

[OakLeaf]

How cute! Happy birthday!

Unfortunately in the USA bats often have rabies, so it's not a good idea for us to handle them. How cool to live and visit somewhere that it's safe.

[redrhodie]

That's the sweetest looking bat I've ever seen. Happy Birthday!

[tulip]

What a cutie. And happy birthday, too!

[Tri Girl]

Happy birthday! What an adorable little bat. I just read the book Stellaluna to my library kiddos, and they all wanted to take bats home with them. Looks like you did. He's quite adorable!

[deeaimond]

How cute! Happy birthday!

Unfortunately in the USA bats often have rabies, so it's not a good idea for us to handle them. How cool to live and visit somewhere that it's safe.

Actually, I'm not sure if it was safe... I might have rabies now! but then he was just a wee baby, hardly any teeth... what are the symptoms of rabies?

Tri Girl, Oh yeah i've read stella luna. awesome story.

I'm not huge on touching animals in general, coz they bite, it took me 5 mins to settle my internal debate that he was a baby and wasn't gonna pierce holes in my hand...

[deeaimond]

me trying to catch a wave



The view of Lake Batur



Rice Paddy, weeding (we did a village cycle tour)



The courtyard of the guesthouse in Ubud, Teba House (very lovely place)



A statue of the sea goddess,, cuts quite an imposing figure...

[wackyjacky1]

He looks so cute curled up asleep in your hand!

What beautiful pictures. Bali just jumped higher on my travel wish list!

[Grog]

Once you have symptoms of rabies, it's pretty much too late.

If you were not bitten you're fine, don't worry about it.

Otherwise, whenever you're bitten by an animal you don't know, get a rabies shot immediately.

[Aggie_Ama]

Happy birthday!

Rabies kills humans, I believe Grog is correct you wouldn't show symptoms until too late. The treatment is shots, it used to be several shots (5?) but my vet friend said they don't have to do quite so many anymore. He got sick as could be but no one survives rabies (except as a vegetable) so I guess vomitting for a day was okay by him. Again unless the little guy bit you then you are okay.

[ClockworkOrange]

Hi deeaimond

I woke up this morning at 4.30 am and just could not get back to sleep, reason, I am going on holiday to Greece on Wednesday and I kept thinking had I forgot to pack anything........

So, thought I might as well get up when it got to 5.30 am and have look on TE.

WOW.............those photos are fabulous, he is such a cute little chap, I have never seen a bat close up, even in books, they never seem too appealing.

Thanks so much for sharing all the super pics and have a fabulous birthday.

Clock

[msincredible]

Great pictures! That is the cutest bat I have ever seen.