Remembering and more birds

I dedicate this post to Michael whose sudden passing has shocked and saddened us. Michael was a great lover of life, a friend, a gifted raconteur and musician and so much more. I shared a love of photography and Nikon equipment with Michael. So I share these pictures with you in his memory.

Here are some more birds from my visit to the Bloedel Conservatory, larger birds this time.

 

 

An African Superb Starling that escaped from my last post and was flying around my desktop.

 

Meet Art, a blue and gold Macaw,

 feeling rather chilly he was never very far from the red heat lamps,

which explains the red glow in some of the pictures.

 

Here is Carmen in the middle of a bit of preening.

 

Casey the yellow-headed amazon parrot was a real performer. When one

of his "friends" came to feed him we learned that he loved music, especially singing.

There was a small group of children watching. We all sang "you are my sunshine"

and as Casey bobbed up and down and fanned his tail it was obvious he approved.

 

 

Gidget is a citron crested cockatoo.

 

Kiwi is a Eclectus Parrot.

 

Kramer, a Moluccan Cockatoo was a show-off and an exceptional whistler.

Interesting toes!

 

Lady Amherst Pheasant below was elusive but I managed these two pictures.

 

Malibu, a sulphur crested cockatoo.

 

Monty, a princess parrot.

 

A Roul Roul Partridge.

 

 

Ruby a Eclectus Parrot.

 

Rudy, a Congo African grey parrot, first showing off his red tail feathers, then his winning smile!

 

I think the birds have had enough, yawning below, it is time for a rest.

 

I have been doing some painting, I am still in the Carnival Mask theme, here is Carnival 5, a combination of a music themed mask and a violin:

Carnival 5

It is of course a watercolour.


My latest DYI project has been rebuilding my PS Whimsy Card and Print website.
New look, new prices, please have a look:

PSWHIMSY.com\

Thanks for stopping by,

 

happy Whimsy Wednesday,

 

Until next week,

 

Gillian.

 



Tropical Weather?

We have been having some tropical type weather recently, but I am not referring to hot balmy weather exactly, more the torrential rain type. This time of year we often get what is referred to here as the "pineapple express", a wet weather system that comes from Hawaii bring a lot of heavy rain. Usually lasts for a day or two and it is wet! Forget trying to stay dry with boots, raincoat and umbrella--not a chance.

It was just such a day that I choose to make my annual visit to the Bloedel Conservatory.

The light was poor and it was a bit chilly inside for the birds, so if you see the red glow of lights that is from the heat lamps.

Here is an assortment of the small birds that I was able to photograph:

African Superb Starling, and it is a beauty!

 

Budgerigars chatting

... and bottoms up!

 



 

Canary, I think 



 

Cordon Bleu Finch, gorgeous bird

 

Gold-breasted Waxbill

 

Gouldian Finches

 

... how many Gouldian Finches fit in a feeder at one time.. apparently quite a few

 

this may be a canary too, but I am not sure

 

this little bird has found a feather on the ground (from the Cockatoo I think), quite a prize, he flies off to hide it

 

Orange cheeked Waxbills share with Gouldian Finches

 

orange checked wax bill

 

Owl Finch, so cute

 

Red Billed Fire Finch

 



 

Red Ear-striped Waxbill

 

Red throated Parrot Finch

 

Red Winged Laughing Thrush

 

Saffron Finch

 

Star Finch Trio

 

and these last two I am not sure...

 



 

 

Which is your favorite? For me it is a tie between the Cordon Bleu Finch and the Owl Finch.

 

If you live in Vancouver (BC) and have not been to the Bloedel Conservatory lately it is worth a visit.

 



Apparently we have another "weather bomb" (in the form of heavy rain) coming, I think I'll stay indoors this time. At least we don't have to shovel it!

I am still busy on non art projects but should have some paintings to share next week,

 

Thanks for stopping by,

 

happy Whimsy Wednesday,

 

Until next week,

 

Gillian.