Summer 2015 - Various Happy Hours at the House

It's been a beautiful summer and we've been outside as much as we can to enjoy it. Dave grabbed a few photos of some flowers up front. As usual, the yard was spectacular - loaded with Black-Eyed-Susans, Cone Flowers, Whirling Butterlies and many other gorgeous flowers.

The Black-Eyed Susans were really awesome. Tons of them!

Pente enjoyed the season. Though this is a photo of her inside, though she's looking out. She did get outside a fair amount as well too (in an enclosure).

Most fun was taking Dayle out back for evening happy hours. He would reach for  a drink out of our drinks, so we started bringing out the Dayle sized glass of orange juice for him. HE LOVES IT!

He sits with us looking at the birds and chattering at the birds. 

He's like a warning system too. Like all the birds, he can see the tiniest bird way up in the sky. Recently, he was enamored (like Dave and I were) or hundreds of Sandhill Cranes flying over the house on their southern migration.

Right now it's a bit too cold to sit out there (though still no snow), but we will look out the window from inside. He's loving life.

It's been a bad year for yellow-jackets. Dave is obsessed with ending them all!

Dayle enjoys his post drink cherry. He really loves those!

Happy boys!

I got Pente an outdoor cat enclosure which she also loves. She can sit outside (with supervision) now and did a lot of it. Glad it's been such a hit.

09_2015 - Parrot Portraits for Callie's Birthday

Way behind on blogs. Hopefully we'll be catching up soon. One step in that direction is posting some parrot portraits! I asked Dave to take them for my birthday.

Here is Henri. He loves to be the center of attention even at age 36. He's such a ham!

He loves singing too. Ignore my scary singing face...He doesn't mind it. :)

Clover! Age 18 and still all the boys are crazy about her.

She is and always has been goofy and not wanting a lot of affection. Notice how she looks away from me like the teenager she is. :)

Gabbie.  He's still a mama's boy at age 16. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Gabbie and Grace. They were clutch mates (Grace hatched a few days before Gabbie) and are still roomies.

Dewey and Dayle. Dewey is age 16, and Dayle is 20. Dayle was the second bird to hatch - the year after Ferne.  They are loving life here in Colorado.

Dewey is incredibly affectionate and loves to kiss.

Dayle is super handsome and colorful.

And he likes to snuggle and kiss too. It's really great having them all here!

08_15_15 to 08_19_2015 Dad brings Dayle and Dewey!

Dad drove up from the Houston area to bring Dayle (age 20) and Dewey (age 16). They had been at my parents house for years but it was time for them to move to CO to be with us.

After the marathon drive, it was first time to hop in the shower with them. They LOVE that. Usually when I'd go to the Houston area, we'd shower together because it's fun. :)

Dayle broke his back at age 6 months. He's thrived since then and continues not to be phased by his physical limitations. (that is why he's in a towel and basket).

Here they are pre-shower.

Two very clean, wet and happy birds post-shower!

Dad hung out a few days before heading off to KCMO. We drove up to Nederland where we had lunch at the Thai place (marginal), then looked in some fun shops there.

Outside the gem shop

And of course, we had to take some photos outside the Green Cross store!

Neither Dave nor I had ever noticed the mining museum in Ned. Lots of fun heavy equipment outside to check out.

Cool rusty stuff!

Sadly, it was closed so we were left to looking into the windows. We'll have to get back there some day.

One stop was the local outdoor shop.

The day before dad left, Dayle and Dewey's new cage arrived! It is the same brand that the other birds have (so they match) but is a bit wider to allow us to retrofit it for Dayle's needs.

Dave is putting together some stuff....

Dad as well....

Henri had to oversee it all while on top of his cage.

Here is Dayle watching from his old cage. This was Henri's original cage and one that served Dayle well for a long time. Problem is that at my parent's  house, Dewey could roam free and go/come from Dayle's cage at will. Can't do that here with the other birds in the room. They needed to be caged together.

Putting the cage in the new location.

Dewey looks from her old cage....

(this cage was later donated to Greenwood animal rehabbing).

We moved Dayle in his old cage next to Dewey. Dave was able to make Dayle's set up within a day so they could be together....

Here is the box Dave made for Dayle.

While Dayle's stuff was being constructed, Dewey made several visits to hang out with Dayle.

These two are very bonded.

Sweet!

We put a cushion in the bottom of the box. I later added some cushion bumpers along the side. The entire thing is covered in towels and his food/water is placed in the box for easy access.

Cushion being added.

Looks great. We later added an aluminum rod that goes along the open side. He can use the rod to move around.

And he's home! Dayle loves his new box!

Really great box work by Dave has Dayle and Dewey super happy!

Happy birds!

Here is the old cage. It's pretty beat but has seen a lot of good times. Before we threw it out, I grabbed some photos of Henri on it. 

And here he is. 36 years ago, Henri and this cage came home. He was pretty quickly rehomed when we realized this cage is a terrible choice for him! Still, it's been a great cage that served everyone well.