I was back to washing dishes again on Friday. But before I got that far I had a bit of a chat with management. They have now had a chance to look at all those Dream Catchers you made for the Refuge, Guylaine. They are just sooooo impressed. They said they've never seen them made that way before...or presented with such care. They think they are very beautiful. They are still hidden away until they can figure out a way to display them well and safely.
Also, I was asked if I would go along on Saturday to the Qualicum Beach Museum...and take a bird. They were having some kind of event. Right away I thought of Bertie and the opportunity to see how much, if any, of her clicker training she remembers. But I wanted to talk with Lorne about it before committing myself. With the birds, Squeak and Lorne at home, I'm trying to limit my volunteering for the Refuge to Fridays there, and whatever I can do at home like cooking potatoes. So, I wanted Lorne to come along, take some photos and visit with Bertie a bit. Of course, if they'd told me it was kids' day at the museum, I probably would have said no right away. Elaine's a shoe-in for kids; I'm not. More about that later.
So, back to washing dishes. Staff were dishing up the fresh fruits and veggies when I arrived. The day before I had delivered 20 pounds of mashed potatoes but too late for that day's "menu". So all the birds got mashed potatoes on Friday. I think I've mentioned how there are several birds that cling to the wire that separates the kitchen from the enclosure, and watch all the goings on, hoping for a tidbit or two I'm sure. Well, they all got hand fed some mashed potatoes. My goodness, they just gobbled it down like I would ice cream. It was just so obvious that it was a favourite. It made all the peeling worthwhile. Little Mango is getting just cuter and cuter too. There's a little ledge at counter height that the wire is attached to, that Mango is small enough to sit on. Anyway, every once in awhile he'd say, "C'mere". It touched my heart every time. And now when he manages to make it to my shoulder, he simply refuses to get off. I really feel badly when someone has to towel him so that I can leave his enclosure but I haven't got another solution yet. And if I sit or stand around in his enclosure for any length of time, I have Idaho, a Moluccan Cockatoo, after my toes, ankles and/or legs. And he's no laughing matter. I warned him on Friday that I was about to make him a french fry. I wore my thick rubber boots on Friday. They go half way up my calves and I thought they might deter Idaho...or at least protect more of me. Hah! As I was told, he's smart, smart enough to just aim higher. LOL
When I was finished washing dishes and ready to go visiting the girls and Mango, I took my camera into the medical room to first take some photos of Derby for October's brochure. To get a decent photo of Derby, who was in a cage, I wanted to open the cage door. But one of the Moluccans there, was prepared to bite to get the attention that he wanted, and I just couldn't take a photo and fend off the biter at the same time. Needless to say, none of the photos I took were any good. When I finally said the heck with it, I turned around to see Bertie leaning as far out from the top of a cage as she could, saying her, "hello" over and over, to get my attention. What a surprise. I guess she must have been being picked on or something to be back in the medical room. She wasn't hurt and seemed quite happy. So I did my visiting with her, minus any treats other than lots of hugs and lovin'. Then on my way out of the medical room, I saw Chris in her enclosure with another Moluccan male, but not her special friends. I don't know what the story is yet. I spent some time talking to her. But she seemed less than enthusiastic about my presence. However, you just never know. Maybe she enjoyed having me talk to her. I'm not prepared to accept rejection.
Before going to visit with Babe, I went back to the kitchen to get my bag and stool. Of course, every time I left the kitchen or one of the enclosures, I had Mango on my shoulder saying, "Hi Mango". And I'd have to get someone to get him off my shoulder so that I could go into another area. Anyway, I finally got to see Babe. And she was waiting for me. In fact when she saw me coming, she started climbing toward the door to the enclosure. I think that she's figured, that if I'm all she's going to get, she'd best make the most of it. She was on my shoulder and down to my chest in no time flat. That was our best visit yet. Poor old Zoey and the others got short shrift during that visit.
And that was Friday at the Refuge. When I got home Lorne and I talked about going, with Bertie to the museum on Saturday. And as soon as he agreed to go, I started the hunt for Bertie's various props. Thank you so much, Guylaine, for your foresight in returning all those props to me. I gather that Kids' day at the museum, is an annual event at the museum. It was well planned and organized. The Refuge had a nice long table and canopy and a chair. Staff brought Jack, a Citron-crested Cockatoo, and Amigo, an Amazon both of whom delighted the visitors. And we took Bertie. I was so happy to be able to spend hours at one time with her. The event was held outside; so Bertie wore her harness...with reluctance. But it's been a long time since she's worn it. Now, I know that clicker training isn't wanted at the Refuge; trying to keep everything as close to the wild as possible. And there are no clickers in the wild. And while I disagree with that logic, I cannot fault her approach. However, because Bertie came to the Refuge already clicker trained, and we were at an educational event, having Bertie go through her routine was okay. Most people underestimate parrots. Although it had been well over a year, Bertie had forgotten nothing. And with the kids crowded around clapping and yelling, she was in her element. She retrieved, put money in her piggy bank, put rings on a peg, loaded her little red wagon and pulled it to me at the end of the table. She filled her pail with rings, put the top on and carried it by the handle over to me. Every time the kids yelled, she bounced and hopped around the table, ready to go on to the next move. Sometimes she'd stop in the middle of what she was supposed to be doing, and look at the kids with her head on an angle as if to say, "Well, do you want more?" The kids would start saying "C'mon Bertie, c'mon". And away she'd go again. Oh, my! I was so proud of her! She was so much fun. And later what I found surprising was that she let the kids give her skritches. Mind you, my hand was right there ready for any sudden moves. But she was very tolerant.
I only have a couple of photos for you. However, if you are interested, I'll make a point to try for some photos of the various areas of the Refuge that I'm always talking about. Let me know your thoughts. Sorry you had to wait so long for this post. I almost didn't write at all. I'm now glad I did.
Love,
Pat
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