Fluttershy's Nature Show

The camera pans around the environment, finally showing the location. Fluttershy is in a garden, with a series of brick half-walls all throughout and big, strong trees that were oft a fair distance from each other.

"So, this is a phoenix sanctuary," explains Fluttershy from off camera. "The reason they keep the trees separated by large gaps and walls is in case of fire, which can sometimes happen. The phoenix molting cycle ends with the bird bursting into flame, turning into a pile of ashes, and bursting from those ashes with a new coat of feathers. This takes place every few years of their adulthood, every few months during adolescence, and every few weeks as a baby.

"I want to stress that this is actually a molting process, as some older references will claim that the phoenix dies during this. This is not so. They may look sickly and frail, and likewise act as if they're dying, and may even feel like it. However, when they finally do burst into flames, they come back with their memories fully intact and their friends and family all recognize them easily. It's neither their death, nor is it a sickness. It's just a stressful moment in their lives.

"Now, they may sometimes emerge smaller, or with a different body shape, but this is not the end of the world. Molting induces a lot of stress, which can lead to overeating or loss of appetite. It should wear off after a short time, so don't be too upset if your favourite phoenix looks a little different after a molt. In fact, the best way to counteract them changing so drastically is to provide them a low-stress environment at the first sign of molting. Of course, if your phoenix has anxiety, this can be much more difficult, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try."

The camera returns to Fluttershy and is promptly removed from its tripod.

"Now, we have a special treat for you. Phoenixes don't often permit anything close to their nests, even going so far as to drive off dragons if they come too close. I wish I had that kind of bravery. Regardless, we're going to show you something that, until now, precious few have been permitted to see. We're going to look inside of a phoenix nest, and perhaps see a few eggs."

Fluttershy walked up to a tree, took a branch in her hand, and began climbing. "Now, normally, if you come this close to a phoenix nest, you'd be presently subjected to a flurry of talons, beaks, fire and excessive screeching. What makes me and the stallion with the camera different is that we have the express permission of this particular phoenix family to look and record what we see. Don't try this if there's a phoenix nest where you live, unless you have the express consent of the phoenixes that call that nest their home."

She moves up to a branch that is just above and to the side of the nest, holding tight to it. The camera goes up a different branch, so as to capture both her and the nest in the shot. The phoenixes look a bit wary, but honour their agreement to not attack for this indiscretion. The male even hops out of the nest to paint a clearer view, while staying close by. The female, however, is being very protective of her eggs, and stays over the top of them.

"So, normal birds will make small nests that are primarily temporary, just for laying eggs and raising their young until flight becomes possible. Then they leave it behind and fly off until such time that they are to mate again and have more eggs, at which point they can return to their nest if it's still intact, but this usually results in building a new nest.

"Phoenixes have a really long life cycle, though, and typically stick with one nest for awhile, unless it's threatened. If threatened, a phoenix will relocate if possible, but eggs and flightless chicks may be left behind in the escape. It's a lot more common that they'll put up a fight, though, similar to how you might react if somepony came into your home without permission. Do keep that in mind; that this is their home.

"Now, because phoenixes tend to keep their nests for longer, they typically build them wider and stronger. They're one of several birds that will use clay in the formation of their nests, which does help to keep them from accidental ignition. They do need a sturdy place to site the nest because of this, as due to the size and material, it's often quite heavy. It also means that they need to have bigger sticks to support the extra weight."

Slowly, the female phoenix began to lift her body, spreading her wings to protect her babies if she had to. Slowly, the eggs came into view, with their fiery red and orange hues. Some had yellow on them, as well, but they were mostly red.

"One more thing about phoenix eggs is that they have particularly hard shells. The babies inside need to push even harder to be born, but this extra push is what makes them so aggressive when protecting their families. It basically forces them to either be strong or not hatch. A bit brutal, but it means that only the strong will make it.

"Now, before we climb back down and finish up, let's talk about their diets. Phoenixes, much like other raptors, primarily eat meat. Adults will often do their own hunting, whether alone or in pairs, but after laying eggs, the mother will keep the eggs warm while the father hunts. After hatching, the roles switch, and the mother hunts while the father keeps the chicks safe. It's an interesting family dynamic that you don't see in many spe--"

Without so much as a creak, the branch Fluttershy is holding onto snaps, and she falls out of frame. The phoenix parents panic at the sudden change, and for a few seconds, the male claws at the stallion holding the camera while the female tries to blind him with light. This lasts all of ten seconds before they calm themselves enough to realize they aren't under attack.

The camera drops down to Fluttershy as a male voice behind the camera calls out. "Are you okay, Ms. Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy looks up at him. "I'm okay, I think. It wasn't a long fall."