June 2020
Dear Elephants, Dear Humans, Dear Birds,
Another month with no meeting. It honestly makes me very sad. I had so many speakers lined up and now every one of
them will have to be postponed until this virus is contained, one way or another, and it is safe for us to meet again and be
together. I kind of feel that we are living through the plague in the middle ages. That ended and this will too. Just please
be careful, wear your masks and observe social distancing wash your hands often etc. Take care of yourselves so that
when it is time for us to be able to meet together again, we will all be healthy and ready and able.
Meanwhile, the wild birds are still flying and going about their business. I had to take down my bird feeders because we
had that visitation of that lovely bear, but I still sit outside and watch the birds as much as I can. I am seeing lots of
mourning doves this year. There is a bird that sings at about twilight, each evening, that I cannot identify because I can't
see it in the trees. It has the most beautiful song. It starts with a few syllables and then there is a trill, not too unlike a
canary. I have no idea what it is, but I love it.
We are lucky in that we have people writing about their experiences with wild birds that became part of their families.
Thank you so much, Francine Garber for 2 episodes of your life with your birds and we look forward to the next
installment. Thank you, Judy Singer, for your story this month. Those stories and other contributions, like the ones from
Joanna Hartel, really keep us going. PLEASE write stories about your birds and/or send pictures. We are a club that is
full of love and full of stories. Let us keep going through this hard time, together, in the best ways we can.
My house birds are doing well. I am making some headway with Emma, who likes to stand on the floor and get
scratched all over by me. I am still waiting for that big step up. Aristophanes is doing well. He likes to hang out in the
kitchen with me. He has mood swings, but when they swing in a nice direction, it makes for time when we are both
pleased and very happy to be together..
My dark Brahma hen, Felicia, had a clutch of eggs that she sat on and tried to hatch. Unfortunately nothing hatched. I
could analyze the reasons, but it doesn't matter. She had some of Evelyn's eggs under her too, but they didn't hatch
either. So, I ended up buying her 2 newborn chicks that were Jersey black Giants. I took the eggs away when it got dark
and put the two tiny chicks under her. The following morning they were her babies. She thought she hatched them and
they thought she was their mom. Their names are Hazel and Beatrice. Man, I love chickens. I was in constant contact
with my chicken guru, Craig Russell, through this entire ordeal. I am so happy that it worked out well for all concerned. I
would have loved to have had some more dark Brahmas from Felicia and Myron, but that was not to be, maybe next
time.
We always have adoption birds. See Pat or me if you are interested
.
Feel good, take care of your birds, whatever other animals you have, and of course, yourself. At a Passover Seder, we
say...."Next Year in Jerusalem"........here we say, next month at the bird club meeting..... One can only hope.
Love,
Richie
Another month with no meeting. It honestly makes me very sad. I had so many speakers lined up and now every one of
them will have to be postponed until this virus is contained, one way or another, and it is safe for us to meet again and be
together. I kind of feel that we are living through the plague in the middle ages. That ended and this will too. Just please
be careful, wear your masks and observe social distancing wash your hands often etc. Take care of yourselves so that
when it is time for us to be able to meet together again, we will all be healthy and ready and able.
Meanwhile, the wild birds are still flying and going about their business. I had to take down my bird feeders because we
had that visitation of that lovely bear, but I still sit outside and watch the birds as much as I can. I am seeing lots of
mourning doves this year. There is a bird that sings at about twilight, each evening, that I cannot identify because I can't
see it in the trees. It has the most beautiful song. It starts with a few syllables and then there is a trill, not too unlike a
canary. I have no idea what it is, but I love it.
We are lucky in that we have people writing about their experiences with wild birds that became part of their families.
Thank you so much, Francine Garber for 2 episodes of your life with your birds and we look forward to the next
installment. Thank you, Judy Singer, for your story this month. Those stories and other contributions, like the ones from
Joanna Hartel, really keep us going. PLEASE write stories about your birds and/or send pictures. We are a club that is
full of love and full of stories. Let us keep going through this hard time, together, in the best ways we can.
My house birds are doing well. I am making some headway with Emma, who likes to stand on the floor and get
scratched all over by me. I am still waiting for that big step up. Aristophanes is doing well. He likes to hang out in the
kitchen with me. He has mood swings, but when they swing in a nice direction, it makes for time when we are both
pleased and very happy to be together..
My dark Brahma hen, Felicia, had a clutch of eggs that she sat on and tried to hatch. Unfortunately nothing hatched. I
could analyze the reasons, but it doesn't matter. She had some of Evelyn's eggs under her too, but they didn't hatch
either. So, I ended up buying her 2 newborn chicks that were Jersey black Giants. I took the eggs away when it got dark
and put the two tiny chicks under her. The following morning they were her babies. She thought she hatched them and
they thought she was their mom. Their names are Hazel and Beatrice. Man, I love chickens. I was in constant contact
with my chicken guru, Craig Russell, through this entire ordeal. I am so happy that it worked out well for all concerned. I
would have loved to have had some more dark Brahmas from Felicia and Myron, but that was not to be, maybe next
time.
We always have adoption birds. See Pat or me if you are interested
.
Feel good, take care of your birds, whatever other animals you have, and of course, yourself. At a Passover Seder, we
say...."Next Year in Jerusalem"........here we say, next month at the bird club meeting..... One can only hope.
Love,
Richie