During the last few weeks with my migraines coming with barely any notice, I have found myself trying to preempt any loud bird noises. This is not easy with a room filled with conures.
In the morning s John goes in and feeds them while I am still asleep, thus saving me from their screams of "Hey! Thats the food guy! Do you see the food guy? I see the food guy. Hey food guy, FEED ME!"
I have a theory that a beak chomping on food is less likely to scream and so far I have been right so when the noise level starts to rise again around 11am I have been grabbing my bag of homemade bird bread and facing an onslaught of my own. I imagine it's something like this, "Hey, it's a lady this time! What's that she's got there? Hey Lady, what's in that bag? Give it to me!"
So I have been pushing threw the fray of screams to have a very quiet and easy going afternoon like I am now, the only noise is Kenya practicing her whistles and calling the dogs to see if she can get them to come to her.
Now the weekends are different, I don't usually go into the bird room because when John is home, and they seem to know exactly what days he is home, the conures never truly shut up. So today when I went in there it was total jubilation at the site of me. I really heard a difference in their calls, they sounded...happy.
The most amusing part was my pair of Quakers, who really don't have any use for humans other then the bringers of food and water. Normally when I am with in hearing distance they yell at me to "go away" actually saying those words over and over, "Go away! Go Away!" Today, as I was feeding the cage next to them I got, "Come here! Come Here!" I smiled opened their cage deposited a hunk-o-bread and closed their cage to a resounding, "Go Away!"
This has amused me more then it should I'm sure but I still giggle because I can.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Lake Morton...again
Remember when I said I took over 100 pictures at Lake Morton? Well here are a few more of them. ;)
(As usual, click picture to enbiggen)
We start our picture post with two quiet little Ibis. I know the white one is a White Ibis, the brown patchy one could be a molting chick though he looks a bit big and I am not sure if White Ibis are born white or not.
Two male Ring Neck Ducks and 2 American Coots. Those ducks are so pretty, next to wood ducks I think these guys are some of the prettiest ducks around.
A closer look at a male Ring Neck Duck. See, Pretty!
Mute Swan. This fella was less then a foot away, he just walked right up to me and you could actually hear him thump as he walked he was so darn big. This lasted a whole 30 seconds before....
Uh-oh! This black swan looks a little....
Ticked!!! Remember in the last post I mentioned that black swans were a bit territorial? Like urban guerrillas?
This is what I was talking about. Seriously, the Mute Swans are like 2x the size of the black ones yet the Black Swans bully them something fierce.
More swan fighting. This particular pair of Black Swans were on a rampage. Not very happy swans.
If Ring Necked Ducks are some of the prettiest, then the Muscovy Duck is one of the ugliest ducks ever. Sweet yes but Uuuuugly with a capital U. The Wood Stork behind it isn't to high on the pretty scale either.
This Great Blue Heron has no fear of people. I have a feeling Lots of visitors take his picture. All he does is watch and hold perfectly still.
GBH feathers have such an interesting texture. I have been keeping my eyes peeled for any fallen feathers so I can get a closer look at them.
Grey Swan, I -think- this is a young swan molting into a Black Swan, the red beak is defiantly Black Swan. I don't know if the Black Swans and the Mute Swans can inter-breed though, if they can this could be a cross of some kind.
As the sun began to set the gulls took to the air and bombarded the other birds, steaking the food that was being tossed to them by some human visitors.
Watching Gulls fly is really interesting. They hover and dive like they were trained by the sir force.
When that doesn't work they paddle around like ducks thinking if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. There's what I think is a Turn in there, the one with the pure black head.
It's been a long day, and post, So me and this little white goose are going to curl up and get a nap.
(As usual, click picture to enbiggen)
We start our picture post with two quiet little Ibis. I know the white one is a White Ibis, the brown patchy one could be a molting chick though he looks a bit big and I am not sure if White Ibis are born white or not.
Two male Ring Neck Ducks and 2 American Coots. Those ducks are so pretty, next to wood ducks I think these guys are some of the prettiest ducks around.
A closer look at a male Ring Neck Duck. See, Pretty!
Mute Swan. This fella was less then a foot away, he just walked right up to me and you could actually hear him thump as he walked he was so darn big. This lasted a whole 30 seconds before....
Uh-oh! This black swan looks a little....
Ticked!!! Remember in the last post I mentioned that black swans were a bit territorial? Like urban guerrillas?
This is what I was talking about. Seriously, the Mute Swans are like 2x the size of the black ones yet the Black Swans bully them something fierce.
More swan fighting. This particular pair of Black Swans were on a rampage. Not very happy swans.
If Ring Necked Ducks are some of the prettiest, then the Muscovy Duck is one of the ugliest ducks ever. Sweet yes but Uuuuugly with a capital U. The Wood Stork behind it isn't to high on the pretty scale either.
This Great Blue Heron has no fear of people. I have a feeling Lots of visitors take his picture. All he does is watch and hold perfectly still.
GBH feathers have such an interesting texture. I have been keeping my eyes peeled for any fallen feathers so I can get a closer look at them.
Grey Swan, I -think- this is a young swan molting into a Black Swan, the red beak is defiantly Black Swan. I don't know if the Black Swans and the Mute Swans can inter-breed though, if they can this could be a cross of some kind.
As the sun began to set the gulls took to the air and bombarded the other birds, steaking the food that was being tossed to them by some human visitors.
Watching Gulls fly is really interesting. They hover and dive like they were trained by the sir force.
When that doesn't work they paddle around like ducks thinking if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. There's what I think is a Turn in there, the one with the pure black head.
It's been a long day, and post, So me and this little white goose are going to curl up and get a nap.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Friday Picture Post -or- Sara, Can you name that Bird!
We went back to lake Morton last week and found more birds to stalk us and some even held still for photos. ;) (As always click picture to enbiggen)
The first interesting bird activity we noticed was this Tolouse Goose working a snail out of it's shell. It was pretty cool to watch, the goose was not giving up until it got every last bit of that escargot.
Then we came across this absolutely beautifulCormorant Anhinga. You can tell it's an Anhinga by it's snake like neck. (See Sara, I listen :P )
We now interrupt your Friday Picture Post with a quick game of...
NAME. THAT. BIRD.(tm) Gull Edition.
So break out that big beautiful birding book (Sara) and give it a go. I found an adult there on the left for you. :D
*Insert Jeopardy music here*
*I am not positive but these might be Ring Billed Gulls. Though my Google-fu may be misleading me.
**Sara had deemed that these shall now be called Ring-billed Gulls. They are more then likely just that but there is always the off chance that we are wrong but dang it we shall pretend we are right until someone proves otherwise.
When I first saw this beautiful guy I thought it was a Snowy Egret. Upon my searches I found that this fella was much to big to be an egret at all so I did a search for a Great White Heron. I was starting to worry that this was not a GWH either because of the green on his face but then I discovered that a GWH's face turns green in mating season. So cool!
One of two pair of Black Swans. I have to say, I know swans are naturally territorial, but the black ones are like urban guerrillas, in comparison to the Mute Swans. And the Mute swans are at least twice their size.
Close up time. I was able to get really close to these guys with out bothering them. They are not as "tame" as the Mutes are but they put up with people fairly well.
A pair of Mute Swans looking very regal as they swim over to see if we have anything to feed them.
It's time for another game of..
NAME. THAT. BIRD.(tm)
I have no clue what these guys are, just that there are A LOT of them all over the lake and they DO NOT have webbed feet. In fact their toes actually look segmented and they look kinda greenish like they are stained with algae. Oh and they almost run on top of the water when they are excited.
*My google-fu is leading me to believe these birds are Coots, and Coots come in many varieties so I am not sure what type of Coot these may be. I will wait for Sara to give me her final say on the matter.
**Sara says these are American Coots. So Coots, yes, they are hundreds of tiny old coots running around Lake Mortan. XD
My favorite picture of the day, a White Pelican paddling off. Away from us and our intrusion into his world.
I took 103 pictures, so I have plenty more to show you guys on Monday. Have a great weekend!
*edits after accidentally tripping over some species while looking up ducks.
** What Sara Said. :P
The first interesting bird activity we noticed was this Tolouse Goose working a snail out of it's shell. It was pretty cool to watch, the goose was not giving up until it got every last bit of that escargot.
Then we came across this absolutely beautiful
We now interrupt your Friday Picture Post with a quick game of...
So break out that big beautiful birding book (Sara) and give it a go. I found an adult there on the left for you. :D
*Insert Jeopardy music here*
*I am not positive but these might be Ring Billed Gulls. Though my Google-fu may be misleading me.
**Sara had deemed that these shall now be called Ring-billed Gulls. They are more then likely just that but there is always the off chance that we are wrong but dang it we shall pretend we are right until someone proves otherwise.
When I first saw this beautiful guy I thought it was a Snowy Egret. Upon my searches I found that this fella was much to big to be an egret at all so I did a search for a Great White Heron. I was starting to worry that this was not a GWH either because of the green on his face but then I discovered that a GWH's face turns green in mating season. So cool!
One of two pair of Black Swans. I have to say, I know swans are naturally territorial, but the black ones are like urban guerrillas, in comparison to the Mute Swans. And the Mute swans are at least twice their size.
Close up time. I was able to get really close to these guys with out bothering them. They are not as "tame" as the Mutes are but they put up with people fairly well.
A pair of Mute Swans looking very regal as they swim over to see if we have anything to feed them.
It's time for another game of..
I have no clue what these guys are, just that there are A LOT of them all over the lake and they DO NOT have webbed feet. In fact their toes actually look segmented and they look kinda greenish like they are stained with algae. Oh and they almost run on top of the water when they are excited.
*My google-fu is leading me to believe these birds are Coots, and Coots come in many varieties so I am not sure what type of Coot these may be. I will wait for Sara to give me her final say on the matter.
**Sara says these are American Coots. So Coots, yes, they are hundreds of tiny old coots running around Lake Mortan. XD
My favorite picture of the day, a White Pelican paddling off. Away from us and our intrusion into his world.
I took 103 pictures, so I have plenty more to show you guys on Monday. Have a great weekend!
*edits after accidentally tripping over some species while looking up ducks.
** What Sara Said. :P
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Who let the dogs out?
We just got back from chasing our escaped dogs. Scarlett, the bad influence that she is, dug her way out of the back fence while John was in the shower. Naturally Gunnar followed her.
When John was dry and dressed he found Scarlett in the neighbors yard. This is a scary thing because Scarlett as I have mentioned before in this blog, doesn't play well with other dogs, yet, she was easy to find and catch. Gunnar on the other hand, had a case of wonder lust.
It took more then 3 hrs to find him. Across a busy road down a dead end street and following what I can only describe as a chunky female Chihuahua. (He is neutered but apparently porky little females still smell good.)
John is over 2 hrs late for work, I am an emotional mess, and the dogs, their sleeping. Gunnar had a bath because he apparently rolled in what ever the Chihuahua did, something very dead by the smell of him.
Can I go back to bed now?
When John was dry and dressed he found Scarlett in the neighbors yard. This is a scary thing because Scarlett as I have mentioned before in this blog, doesn't play well with other dogs, yet, she was easy to find and catch. Gunnar on the other hand, had a case of wonder lust.
It took more then 3 hrs to find him. Across a busy road down a dead end street and following what I can only describe as a chunky female Chihuahua. (He is neutered but apparently porky little females still smell good.)
John is over 2 hrs late for work, I am an emotional mess, and the dogs, their sleeping. Gunnar had a bath because he apparently rolled in what ever the Chihuahua did, something very dead by the smell of him.
Can I go back to bed now?
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
A walk in the park
Yesterday was my birthday and being such John and I wanted to do something together. So we decided to head over to Morton Lake Park and see what wildlife was there.
There was a Male Mallard
And his Mate along with some Seagulls (I don't know what kind of gulls these are and I can not find them on line so if anyone has a birding book (Sara) and can identify them please let me know in comments.)
A Great Blue Heron
Mute Swan (There were lots of swans here, a whole lotta swans.)
A Wood Stork, that Swan in the background is the same one in the earlier picture, He was stalking us along with a couple of ducks whom all thought if they waited just a few paces behind us we might accidentally drop bread that they insisted we had. (Which we didn't)
A Buff Goose, I think (I need to get a book of birds at some point)
*This is actually a Tolouse Goose.
Four Cormorants on lifeguard duty. ;)
*There might be a Cormorant or two here but at least 2 of these guys are Anhinga.
A flock of American White Pelicans with a wood stork (bottom right) and a Cormorant a female Anhinga (front center) drying it's wings.
A closer look at theCormorant, they are pretty amazing birds.
*Bzzzt wrong again Suzi! This is actually a a female Anhinga. Cormorants don't have such a snake like head.
A American White Pelican settling down for the night. (Thats a male Mallard paddling by in the background)
I have to say it was a pretty fun afternoon. We plan on going back next weekend to see if we can find any of the black swans that I hear are there. Wish me luck!
*All corrections are courtesy of "The Amazing Sara" and her most awesome bird book.
There was a Male Mallard
And his Mate along with some Seagulls (I don't know what kind of gulls these are and I can not find them on line so if anyone has a birding book (Sara) and can identify them please let me know in comments.)
A Great Blue Heron
Mute Swan (There were lots of swans here, a whole lotta swans.)
A Wood Stork, that Swan in the background is the same one in the earlier picture, He was stalking us along with a couple of ducks whom all thought if they waited just a few paces behind us we might accidentally drop bread that they insisted we had. (Which we didn't)
A
*This is actually a Tolouse Goose.
*There might be a Cormorant or two here but at least 2 of these guys are Anhinga.
A flock of American White Pelicans with a wood stork (bottom right) and a
A closer look at the
*Bzzzt wrong again Suzi! This is actually a a female Anhinga. Cormorants don't have such a snake like head.
A American White Pelican settling down for the night. (Thats a male Mallard paddling by in the background)
I have to say it was a pretty fun afternoon. We plan on going back next weekend to see if we can find any of the black swans that I hear are there. Wish me luck!
*All corrections are courtesy of "The Amazing Sara" and her most awesome bird book.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Gunnar's day at the park
Sunday has become our dog park day. As much as I would love to take both dogs out to the park, Scarlett has some issues that prevent her from socializing with others. Basically she wants to eat all the other dogs and she behaves extremely badly even when she is not trying to eat them, so she doesn't get to go on these doggie outings.
Gunnar on the other hand is very well behaved. We watch him closely and intervene when the excitement seems to ramp up a bit to high. He tends to get really rough with the other dogs, some don't mind but there are a few that don't want 80 pounds of slobbering boxer pounding down on them. So we try and keep him a bit more on the calmer side.
Gunnar is also a very vocal dog. This seems to panic other dog owners because he sounds like he is going to make their pooches a meal at any moment. I am used to his noises mainly because he is always "talking" to me when we are at home, and I find it kinda cute so there's that.
The park was pretty empty this Sunday, most folk probably opting to watch the super bowl, so there was only maybe 8 to 10 other dogs there. Everyone was getting along, not a lot of "ruff" housing, in general a pretty lazy day. At this point I asked John for his phone intent on taking a few pictures with it. He instead handed me a small Nikon camera, this confused me because I am slow sometimes and I just looked at him puzzled.
As some of you have gleaned, my camera has been having issues. Either not taking clear focused pictures or not staying on at all, John being the most awesome husband in the world took note of this camera as I looked at it back in December, wishing we had the spare money to get it. He smiled at me and exclaimed "Merry Valen-birth-mas!" Yes, the camera is my Christmas-birthday-valentines gift. It took him some time to scrape the money together with out me noticing and get it as an "investment" in my blog. Have I said yet how awesome he is? Because he is awesome and so much more.
The camera is a Nikon Coolpix S3100. It is a great little camera, and takes some really nice pictures, so of course I got to play with it in the park.
"Hi Mom!"
Gunnar on the A Frame
I watch a bit of dog agility on tv and I never realized how difficult it was for dogs to traverse the A frame. This was Gunnars first day trying it, I think I'll wait till he masters this before I try him on the teeter totter they have.
Back in the shade of the main pavilion.
Relaxing in the shade. It was a long fun filled day at the dog park.
Gunnar on the other hand is very well behaved. We watch him closely and intervene when the excitement seems to ramp up a bit to high. He tends to get really rough with the other dogs, some don't mind but there are a few that don't want 80 pounds of slobbering boxer pounding down on them. So we try and keep him a bit more on the calmer side.
Gunnar is also a very vocal dog. This seems to panic other dog owners because he sounds like he is going to make their pooches a meal at any moment. I am used to his noises mainly because he is always "talking" to me when we are at home, and I find it kinda cute so there's that.
The park was pretty empty this Sunday, most folk probably opting to watch the super bowl, so there was only maybe 8 to 10 other dogs there. Everyone was getting along, not a lot of "ruff" housing, in general a pretty lazy day. At this point I asked John for his phone intent on taking a few pictures with it. He instead handed me a small Nikon camera, this confused me because I am slow sometimes and I just looked at him puzzled.
As some of you have gleaned, my camera has been having issues. Either not taking clear focused pictures or not staying on at all, John being the most awesome husband in the world took note of this camera as I looked at it back in December, wishing we had the spare money to get it. He smiled at me and exclaimed "Merry Valen-birth-mas!" Yes, the camera is my Christmas-birthday-valentines gift. It took him some time to scrape the money together with out me noticing and get it as an "investment" in my blog. Have I said yet how awesome he is? Because he is awesome and so much more.
The camera is a Nikon Coolpix S3100. It is a great little camera, and takes some really nice pictures, so of course I got to play with it in the park.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Duke Vs. The Migraine
When there is a battle over my head space, between Duke and a raging migraine...in short, Duke wins.
I have been battling daily migraines for the last 2 weeks. Normally a few pills cure the problem but every now and then medication doesn't help, thats what happened today. I woke up with this insane pounding in my head, noise, light and movement made me cry. I was hold up in the recliner water on the table beside me and a cold washcloth over my eyes when at 8:30 Duke starts to scream.
Now normally 1 of 2 things happen here. Either 1. I ignore him and he shuts up, or 2. I cover his cage and he shuts up. Neither was going to work today. His cage was already covered as a preemptive strike to avoid his screams, lotta good that did me, and ignoring him wasn't working. after 15 mins I went to hide in the bedroom.
I stayed there until 2pm.
Duke was still screaming. He had not stopped more then 30 second intervals since he started at 8:30.
I wanted to kill him. I admit it. Thoughts of plucking his little feathered butt danced around in my brain. I couldn't keep hiding in the bedroom, as much as it felt like my face was splitting open and sliding off my skull I was going to have to force myself through the door and get my day started.
It hurt, I cried, and I threw up, which was a joy in and of it's self, but eventually Duke shut up and my throbbing in my head is now bearable. So life moves on, and hopefully tomorrow is a better day.
I have been battling daily migraines for the last 2 weeks. Normally a few pills cure the problem but every now and then medication doesn't help, thats what happened today. I woke up with this insane pounding in my head, noise, light and movement made me cry. I was hold up in the recliner water on the table beside me and a cold washcloth over my eyes when at 8:30 Duke starts to scream.
Now normally 1 of 2 things happen here. Either 1. I ignore him and he shuts up, or 2. I cover his cage and he shuts up. Neither was going to work today. His cage was already covered as a preemptive strike to avoid his screams, lotta good that did me, and ignoring him wasn't working. after 15 mins I went to hide in the bedroom.
I stayed there until 2pm.
Duke was still screaming. He had not stopped more then 30 second intervals since he started at 8:30.
I wanted to kill him. I admit it. Thoughts of plucking his little feathered butt danced around in my brain. I couldn't keep hiding in the bedroom, as much as it felt like my face was splitting open and sliding off my skull I was going to have to force myself through the door and get my day started.
It hurt, I cried, and I threw up, which was a joy in and of it's self, but eventually Duke shut up and my throbbing in my head is now bearable. So life moves on, and hopefully tomorrow is a better day.
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