December 2017
Dear Humans, Birds and Elephants,
Another year comes to an end and with it the hopes of a better life for all our feathered and furred creatures, even those of human descent. Speaking of life forms, ELEPHANTS almost lost some of the protection they were finally afforded to halt their imminent extinction by that orange idiot in Washington. Luckily he reneged on his nefarious plan, at least for the time being. According to the statistics, the population of African elephants across Africa has declined by 3/4 since 1978 and they need all the help they can get just to continue surviving as a species. Opening another door to import their teeth and other body parts, that was finally closed, was not going to help those numbers improve. I know this is a bird newsletter and I generally try to stick to that, but since we did have a program on elephants and they are the number one passion in my life, I feel I can justify talking about them here and letting everyone who cares know what is going on.
Back to birds: The wild birds, at my window feeder, seem to be returning. White bellied nuthatches were the first to come back. They were followed by black capped chickadees, tufted titmice (I think I said that right) and cardinals. Jackie said she saw a woodpecker on the other feeder that is right behind the one on the window. I wish they would get here faster and in bigger numbers. I love watching them. Winter is a very special time for the feeder population for us and serves as a real treat for those who have a harder time finding food due to the extreme weather conditions we often experience at that time of year.
On the home front, Aristophanes, Emma and Zeke are doing well. Aristophanes seems to be in a protracted molt. I never remember just how long the whole process takes so it always worries me, but it is always evident in the fall to early winter. Emma was friendlier to me for a while, but then went back to avoiding me again. Parrots can have strange personalities and are sometimes very hard to understand. Nothing that I am aware of happened between Emma and I that explains his sudden disdain for being a loving pet and spending time with me. Maybe I am not trying hard enough. Zeke is his usual self, enjoying his share of the spaghetti I make for the chickens every morning.
Sad news about my chickens, I lost several to what turned out to be coyotes that must live in the forest behind my house. They are sequestered in their coop now and not too happy about it. But, they will have to stay there until I figure out a way to keep them safe. It breaks my heart to lose them. They are all such beautiful and special individuals. On that note, Craig Russell, my chicken guru and President of the Society for the Preservation of Poultry Antiquities, will be back to present another program to us in April. My electric fence that I have around the yard behind the coop is not working. If you, or anyone you know, has knowledge of the workings of electric fences, please contact me and help me. I want to let the chickens out again, even if only in their yard. The electric fence should keep them safe from the predators.
Our speaker next month, January, will be somebody new to us. Lisa Yaple, from the Center for Discovery, will do a talk on their "Imaginarium", and small aviary, where they keep animals, including some birds. That should be quite interesting. I am trying to get Nick Hawvermale, that fantastic avian photographer, back for us. Nick wanted to do a program on the best way to watch wild birds. I will let you know when he will be here. If anyone has any other ideas about speakers for our meetings, now is the time to let me know whom I should contact.
I am very anxious to enjoy our COVERED DISH HOLIDAY PARTY AND PENNY SOCIAL, tonight, with everyone. It is always such a fun evening and one can win so many nice prizes and talk and brag about the birds we love so well. I hope lots of birds are here to share with us, only those that would enjoy such an evening, of course.
Have the best holiday and the happiest new year.
Love,
Richie.
Another year comes to an end and with it the hopes of a better life for all our feathered and furred creatures, even those of human descent. Speaking of life forms, ELEPHANTS almost lost some of the protection they were finally afforded to halt their imminent extinction by that orange idiot in Washington. Luckily he reneged on his nefarious plan, at least for the time being. According to the statistics, the population of African elephants across Africa has declined by 3/4 since 1978 and they need all the help they can get just to continue surviving as a species. Opening another door to import their teeth and other body parts, that was finally closed, was not going to help those numbers improve. I know this is a bird newsletter and I generally try to stick to that, but since we did have a program on elephants and they are the number one passion in my life, I feel I can justify talking about them here and letting everyone who cares know what is going on.
Back to birds: The wild birds, at my window feeder, seem to be returning. White bellied nuthatches were the first to come back. They were followed by black capped chickadees, tufted titmice (I think I said that right) and cardinals. Jackie said she saw a woodpecker on the other feeder that is right behind the one on the window. I wish they would get here faster and in bigger numbers. I love watching them. Winter is a very special time for the feeder population for us and serves as a real treat for those who have a harder time finding food due to the extreme weather conditions we often experience at that time of year.
On the home front, Aristophanes, Emma and Zeke are doing well. Aristophanes seems to be in a protracted molt. I never remember just how long the whole process takes so it always worries me, but it is always evident in the fall to early winter. Emma was friendlier to me for a while, but then went back to avoiding me again. Parrots can have strange personalities and are sometimes very hard to understand. Nothing that I am aware of happened between Emma and I that explains his sudden disdain for being a loving pet and spending time with me. Maybe I am not trying hard enough. Zeke is his usual self, enjoying his share of the spaghetti I make for the chickens every morning.
Sad news about my chickens, I lost several to what turned out to be coyotes that must live in the forest behind my house. They are sequestered in their coop now and not too happy about it. But, they will have to stay there until I figure out a way to keep them safe. It breaks my heart to lose them. They are all such beautiful and special individuals. On that note, Craig Russell, my chicken guru and President of the Society for the Preservation of Poultry Antiquities, will be back to present another program to us in April. My electric fence that I have around the yard behind the coop is not working. If you, or anyone you know, has knowledge of the workings of electric fences, please contact me and help me. I want to let the chickens out again, even if only in their yard. The electric fence should keep them safe from the predators.
Our speaker next month, January, will be somebody new to us. Lisa Yaple, from the Center for Discovery, will do a talk on their "Imaginarium", and small aviary, where they keep animals, including some birds. That should be quite interesting. I am trying to get Nick Hawvermale, that fantastic avian photographer, back for us. Nick wanted to do a program on the best way to watch wild birds. I will let you know when he will be here. If anyone has any other ideas about speakers for our meetings, now is the time to let me know whom I should contact.
I am very anxious to enjoy our COVERED DISH HOLIDAY PARTY AND PENNY SOCIAL, tonight, with everyone. It is always such a fun evening and one can win so many nice prizes and talk and brag about the birds we love so well. I hope lots of birds are here to share with us, only those that would enjoy such an evening, of course.
Have the best holiday and the happiest new year.
Love,
Richie.