All right, on to the other pictures.

[skreidle]

(All links open in new windows.)

Second, some older stuff--edited my 9/5/02 post related to packing and moving out of Seal, which now features a few photos of the packed truck and trailer.

Third, some nice custom Harleys (borrowed by a guy across the street) and a T-bucket hot rod (owned by the same guy): Harleys and a hot rod.

Fourth, a couple artsy photos from the trip to California:

Winding river from 35,000ft.

Lone surfer, B&W

Fifth, my cat.

Sixth, my tarantula, who gets a picture link 'cause she creeps people out:


And last but most certainly not least, my macaw, who also gets a picture link, 'cause she's gorgeous:

(She'd just gotten a bath, but I like this pic of her. :)

Comments

[sebatical.livejournal.com]

birds get baths?!

i thought they self-bathe..

[skreidle.livejournal.com]

Well, "shower" would be more accurate, as it's done with a spray bottle. :)
In general, you're right--they preen, and apply secreted oil to the feathers. But getting misted down helps stimulate that oil production and preening activity.

[sebatical.livejournal.com]

neat.. didnt know that..

amazing what kind of things i learn from my friends list..

[skreidle.livejournal.com]

Well, I learned tonight that Vaughn Lowery, the dancing Joe Boxer guy, seems to be a Cornell alumnus. :)

[puffinjuice.livejournal.com]

I used to have a conure, and he would go into a "Little People" pool that I filled with warm water, and stand in it, stick his head in it, and splash around! A macaw would need something much bigger though...so cute! :)

[skreidle.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

Hmm.. I think for a macaw, I'd need one of those big plastic baby pools! :)

Re:

[puffinjuice.livejournal.com]

true true...:) You know what is a good size is a Barbie pool, but I tried using that and it didn't work because the sides are soft...they just step on the side and there goes a tiny flood! Unless yours is good about being placed in water...but mine liked to ease his way in--hang out poolside for a few minutes before getting in. :)

[skreidle.livejournal.com]

Don't know, never tried. Only had her about a month, and in the pet store she got misted down. :)

Re:

[puffinjuice.livejournal.com]

That's good that she is used to it...makes it easier. That's usually the way it goes. Mine didn't like being misted, I think he liked to take his time and make his own decision as to whether to get in the water and how much he wanted to splash around!

[skreidle.livejournal.com]

Hehe.. makes sense.

There are birds at the store who'll complain if they -don't- get misted when there's a bottle handy. ;)

[skreidle.livejournal.com]

..used to have?

Re:

[puffinjuice.livejournal.com]

he passed a few years ago...actually a few days ago was the anniversary--1997. He got a stomach tumor or mass of some sort. :( But he was my baby for many years!

[skreidle.livejournal.com]

Aww.. that's sad. But I'm glad you had a great time while he was still around. :)

What birds do you have now, any?

Re:

[puffinjuice.livejournal.com]

No, none right now...I live in a small apartment in the city, and I have a very busy life between school and all, so I don't have the space or the time for attention that a bird needs. I might consider it in the future once I settle down if I have enough time, but I would probably try to adopt one that came from a bad home, kind of like my first one. I am sort of ambivalent as to whether I think the selling of birds is good...some breeders and stores are fine, but I think that the demand leads people to take them from the wild, plus many stores don't treat them well or understand their needs. So that's why I would rather give a good life to one that has fallen into bad hands or someone who doesn't want them anymore!

[skreidle.livejournal.com]

All makes sense to me. :)


Personally, my bird came from the Petsmart where I now work.. so I know how it was cared for for at least half of its six months.

There was an article in the December BirdTalk about a man who rescued a cockatiel from a house he was redecorating--the owner had left for a week without anyone to care for the bird (or the three dogs), had been feeding it all seeds, and hadn't even named it after five years of ownership because "hey, it's just a bird". Grrrrrr. I'm glad that guy stepped in.. took the bird home and had no plans to give it back. (No surprise, the irresponsible owner didn't much care.)

Re:

[puffinjuice.livejournal.com]

That's good for you....

I really don't understand why people take in pets when they have no interest and do not take care of them. I guess it is just like many people live their entire lives, treating people badly, being selfish, being bad to their kids, or being shallow. It makes me angry though, when it comes to pets, because it is not necessary for people to have them, and they are defenseless! I am glad that guy stepped in too!

[skreidle.livejournal.com]

As a sales associate at Petsmart (or according to the training videos, a Pet Detective :), we make every attempt to teach people about proper care for their animals, from housing to food to socialization; making sure the animals will be in good, well-informed hands--and if we think that won't be the case, we reserve the right to not sell those people animals. We also don't sell cats or dogs, only adopt them out, to help with pet overpopulation.

Just, y'know, doing our part. :)

[mizunakat.livejournal.com]

That is a very pretty macaw! :)

[skreidle.livejournal.com]

Thanks! (Did you follow the link to the other pictures?)

[mizunakat.livejournal.com]

I overlooked that the picture was a link before I got your reply. :)

She looks to have a good personality. Hard to tell through pictures, but it's just noticeable. :)

[skreidle.livejournal.com]

I'd have to agree, though I only have two other blue and gold macaws to compare her to.. and a green-wing, and assorted smaller birds. Most of those, she has a better personality than--but she really likes me, so you might get a different analysis from someone else. ;)
(In the store, she was friendly to pretty much anyone. Now she's a bit more bonded to me. :)

[mizunakat.livejournal.com]

For a long time I couldn't see the point in having a bird as a pet because they weren't furry and didn't pant with tongue lolling out or anything...

Be rest assured that I've since gotten over that. It still amazes me though. I think maybe it's because I've never really see someone spend time with their parakeet or anything. It's neat to hear that she's bonded to you. :)

[skreidle.livejournal.com]

I used to think the same thing--didn't think birds could be affectionate, friendly, cuddly, etc. Then I got to know a bunch! There's something adorable about even a little bird that just hops up on your finger and likes riding around on your arm.. and the big birds are just fun. :)

You should come meet her sometime! I'm not far from Misty's.. ;)