The Uncaged Bird -My first Hummingbird has arrived 4/26/2024

@joanne, after our albino vs. leucistic discussion I found this soon to be neutered Aussie resident who is right up my alley.

http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2F2017-01-10%2Frare-white-flying-fox-rescued-in-south-east-queensland%2F8171898&h=AT3MQD6h1PngBb8-7KacuM96HfYdKDmZSGCUcOk53-ikVS7ZptNcrL6FGb1vhr11dhiB24VrXINoKTr4PKDca8hKJbiZthXSUDvg3-vFQZs_4JikDyAcBYJylZ5emQL3fTmW6zREDmu5GB2Eq8S95w

I live in Yugambeh country, Canungra is about 15-20 mins drive from here depending on traffic. (It's heading up the side of Mt Tamborine, and is the site of an Army base) Yugambeh is pronounced 'you-kum-bear', bear like the animal. I think more stress is on the last syllable, the 'bear' part.

That flying fox is so cute, but you feel sad for it, poor sunburnt critter. I remember a radio discussion about that time, on skin cancer in super-pale non-human mammals. Vets were very last summer and the summer before, it sounds like this summer will be even busier. 

joanne said:
I live in Yugambeh country, Canungra is about 15-20 mins drive from here depending on traffic. (It's heading up the side of Mt Tamborine, and is the site of an Army base) Yugambeh is pronounced 'you-kum-bear', bear like the animal. I think more stress is on the last syllable, the 'bear' part.


That flying fox is so cute, but you feel sad for it, poor sunburnt critter. I remember a radio discussion about that time, on skin cancer in super-pale non-human mammals. Vets were very last summer and the summer before, it sounds like this summer will be even busier. 

 Since they are active at night, he can snooze in my garage in the day, (3 cars wide and super high rafters and then take off at sunset and polish off the mosquitos. Where do I get an adoption application?.

Will ICE let him in??? http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/wildlife-trade/permits/applying-permit

I've just read about some intriguing research on birdy mimics. Apparently, they know what they're saying, if it's another bird language:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/aug/03/tweets-going-viral-birds-can-learn-second-language-from-peers

Ten minutes ago, while mostly dark outside (dawn just breaking), half a dozen kookaburra burst into a loud melodic chorus high in the palm tree directly outside the bedroom window! (I'm writing in bed)

A startling surprise, wonderful way to start the day. 

joanne said:
Will ICE let him in??? http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/wildlife-trade/permits/applying-permit
I've just read about some intriguing research on birdy mimics. Apparently, they know what they're saying, if it's another bird language:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/aug/03/tweets-going-viral-birds-can-learn-second-language-from-peers

 I can get him in if I lie and say that I have a canned hunt facility. They'll be thrilled. I can invite the Trump boys and explain later that they should have learned to side step the snares. Of course not sure if Donny Jr. will be able to get a week end pass from prison.

Of course there is the possibility of promising DJT a photo shoot.

‘Not the hair!’   

Not exactly the Funky Chicken, but definitely a bird with the moves.

https://www.facebook.com/CenterforBioDiv/videos/10156361450080460/

Avian feather transplant surgery saves this wild bird’s life. Tawny frogmouths are so majestic. 

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-07/bird-rescue-qld-tawny-frogmouth-feather-transplant/10077944

I actually heard about this rescue on the radio last week:  there was a call-in vet segment talking about how to care for wildlife especially birds and small mammals injured through their proximity to our living spaces. The rescuer was really upset about having to cut feathers but knew it was the only way to help this bird. The vets confirmed it had absolutely been the right first aid and had helped keep the bird calm in this instance. 

Amazing work all round. 

sightings of a near-extinct bird!! 

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-08/rare-regent-honeyeater-spotted-in-queensland-by-birdwatchers/10088826

Wow joanne, your country is magical!

Morganna said:
Wow joanne, your country is magical!

You'll have to visit!  

I have just completed this road journey, and would do it again, in a heartbeat!

http://www.nullarbormap.com.au/

Let me tell you about magic just before sunset last night: D and I looked up from the kitchen, towards the lake. We'd just arrived home and we're talking about what to cook for dinner...

All of a sudden about 25-30 ducks (mane-headed wood ducks, I think) swept in to land, from roof-height at left to on water at right, right across from us. Every wing beat in time, they kept perfect spacing in the air and on water, not one straggled or lost a beat. The flock was as long as our neighbours' house and included ducklings. Once on water, they upended to dive into the water for delicacies - again, in perfect timing, coming up together. 

Just magic. Didn't break ranks for about 15 mins. 

One of the adolescent cygnets has developed a honk that sounds exactly like the ambulance siren, when it’s turning in the Care Centre driveway here in the village. 

I don’t know whether it’s funny or sad that it answered the ambulance’s arrival this morning. 

 joanne, saw this beauty posted and it was said to have been off the coast of Australia. Goes with our albino/ leucistic conversation.

is that meant to be Migaloo? He’s a famous whale that swims along here annually, he’s white or mostly white. Now said to have a son, too. 

Edited to correct typo: it’s not quite 6:30am, I’m typing in bed!

joanne said:
is that meant to be Migaloo? He’s a famous whale that swims along here annually, he’s white or mostly white. Now said to have a son, too. 


Edited to correct typo: it’s not quite 6:30am, I’m typing in bed!

 I had to dig through the site but apparently that is who it is! And as a result of the search I found a FB page Australian Geographic which I am now following.

http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.australiangeographic.com.au%2Ftopics%2Fwildlife%2F2017%2F07%2F20-facts-about-migaloo-the-white-whale&h=AT3zwYd-BxMVDm2XE0-mgR2uB6ohNNJdzF_PHIvYiH4KkJz7qZxZ6k_Y0AUJXcN8WOZNQpOMq0Z9SX39ExtMZulDdL1IIVi99X6tpulQ6z-yuqrCZWRva7v8V3sEQ7CV

marksierra said:

Morganna said:
Wow joanne, your country is magical!

You'll have to visit!  


I have just completed this road journey, and would do it again, in a heartbeat!
http://www.nullarbormap.com.au/

 Trying to look at a map as the one on this site didn't give me the full view. As I posted on joanne's comment about Migaloo, I have found a very cool FB page that I'm following: Australian Geographic.

My ex husband and good friend is planning a trip to Sydney. Had to check the map to see where your journey took place.

I traipsed around the globe for years then moved from the city, decided to start a small cat rescue and hung up my traveler's cloak.

Now when I remember those long flights to Thailand and on to Bali I wonder if the desire for a quest is strong enough to conquer my fidgetiness.

The kitties would fret....

In Melbourne, tho, you could visit the Lort Smith rescue facility which is heart warming and does outstanding work. 

https://www.lortsmith.com/what-we-do/about-us

it’s currently whale-watching season, and for the next couple of months we’ll have morning radio reports on the best spots to hang out to see various pods travelling down the coast towards Antarctica. Migaloo is such a favourite, and has a very distinctive fin pattern. The marine biologist who first saw and named him as a calf still watches out for him around Byron Bay/Lennox Heads.  Watching the mother whales with the babies is interesting even if you’re just standing on the beach; and watching the seabirds’ behaviour around them, too. They don’t hang around tho, every day they’re in a new area, covering a lot of sea each day. 

And the Nullarbor! I’m sooo jealous that Marksierra and Mrsmarksierra drove it, and have also been on our great trains! (The Ghan, and the Indian-Pacific) These are classic Aussie overland adventure trails that are truly magical.  You have to visit!!

(I took so long writing that previous post that I’d forgotten what I’d wanted to say!! Oops! When is that Sydney visit -in a few weeks, isn’t it? Do you think he will have time to explore beyond Sydney area? There’s been so little rain, tho, it’s a bleak year. The whole of NSW is drought-declared, and tinder-dry)

Aussie Geographic is a brilliant publisher. There are a few stores around in major resort towns, so you can get good quality educational souvenirs from them, or quirky ones, and browse for hours. The shops are like the magazines (We have the first 4 editions, BTW, in mint condition! Someone left them at our old bookshop. You can lose yourself in that rich photography)

Murray River turtles!

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-12/islands-to-help-save-threatened-turtle/10067200

oh! I meant to post this bird article last night before I went to bed - it’s so clever!!

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-45155818 

WA’s little penguins are facing climate-change induced devastation:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-12/penguin-island-penguins-in-danger-from-changing-weather/10096012

@Morganna! I know this isn’t th3 right thread, but look - they want you!

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-45160780

Hummingbird ring training kit. https://www.amazon.com/ZUMMR-Hummingbird-Feeder-Trainer-Starter/dp/B07FSKVK4H/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1534109298&sr=8-4&keywords=hummingbird+ring+feeders&dpID=51cJ4xem4aL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

joanne said:
@Morganna! I know this isn’t th3 right thread, but look - they want you!
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-45160780

 Looks idyllic. I'm trapping now for an 85 year old colony caretaker. I hate doing it as the ferals are so scared. I have one recovering that I plan on returning to his colony in a day or two. I have no peace until they are released; I hate to see an animal in a cage. In my head, I'm in there with them. But I found a kitten with paralyzed legs that I tried to save at this spot and both he and his sister succumbed to what appears to be distemper , so I'm determined to spay that whole group. I've done 4 in the past 10 days.

Apparently the Greek job has attracting hundreds if not thousands of applicants

Your work at home is too important to leave half-done. I shouldn't distract you.

But this is a pretty daydream:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-13/tin-can-bay-dolphins-have-special-bond-with-town/10109608?section=good-news

Morganna said:
Hummingbird ring training kit. https://www.amazon.com/ZUMMR-Hummingbird-Feeder-Trainer-Starter/dp/B07FSKVK4H/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1534109298&sr=8-4&keywords=hummingbird+ring+feeders&dpID=51cJ4xem4aL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

 My spoiled brats will have none of that.  They are now busy double-teaming the wasps that have discovered the feeders.

mumstheword said:

Morganna said:
Hummingbird ring training kit. https://www.amazon.com/ZUMMR-Hummingbird-Feeder-Trainer-Starter/dp/B07FSKVK4H/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1534109298&sr=8-4&keywords=hummingbird+ring+feeders&dpID=51cJ4xem4aL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

 My spoiled brats will have none of that.  They are now busy double-teaming the wasps that have discovered the feeders.

 This has been my best year for hummers. I saw 5 today! One solo and 2 pairs. There has been activity at the feeder, at the honeysuckle vine and around the red salvia. Its delightful.

My wrens flew off and once again I missed the first flight.

Butterflies are fluttering around my 5 Butterfly bushes and there are plenty of birds at the feeder.

The doe and her faun are enjoying my fountain and garden, as well as visiting woodchucks, raccoons  and the odd fox.

All's right with the world.