Charlie

I often ask myself why do I put myself through the aggravation, expense and stress of traveling?

Dive buddy Bill L agrees with me.

It is that moment when you stick your regulator in your mouth, your feet hits the water and you see all those beautiful colorful fish through your scuba mask.

Yeah, baby.

That is why we put up with all the shit.

I've been to alot of different dive destinations but we keep going back to Bonaire.

My husband and I tried a new place this year, "diver's paradise" (black durgon)

It was similar to the condo we usually stay at called"happy Holiday homes' . It is spartan tile floor apartment equipped with a mini kitchen. I like to cook my own food rather than be at the mercy of a (non-vegetarian)restaurant.

What I especially liked about this place is that it was walking distance from the apartment to a easy entrance shore dive site called 'small wall".

"Small wall" was definitely one of the best shore dive sites on the island.

Since we were having problems with the rental truck it was a good excuse to do most of our dives at this spot. We were prefectly happy banging out 95% of our 18 dives here.

Of course, we had to go to one of our all time favorite dive sites 'windsock' where we knew we would find a trio of friendly squids to greet us under the pilings. We almost always see a turtle or two (or three) as well. I like "windsock" because I know the UW topography pretty well so I don't get lost. There is this huge brain coral at 30 feet that looks like a giant bum sticking out of the sand near the mooring marker.

Another favorite site is "the front porch". At 100 feet lies a intact little tug boat.

A few years ago at this site, I found a good sized seahorse hanging on a rope but I haven't seen one since. Under the hull was a very large resident green moray. I remember seeing this guy for the last ten visits I been to Bonaire.

Let me tell you this moray has grown.

He is a monster.

His head is bigger than a human's head.

This visit was the first time I spotted (two) lion fish under the hull hiding.

We also found an octopus inside a discarded PVC tube.

We didn't bother going to other dive sites such as the Hilma Hooker or Oil Slick leap because of the truck situation. I was afraid the truck might not start and also the emergency brake did not work. A few times the truck rolled with the brake supposedly on..

This could've been a BIG problem parked on the some of the cliffs. It was best to avoid a potentially dangerous situation.

I was perfectly happy diving at the 'small wall". We saw turtles on every time. As well as all kinds of small morays, squids, a small lionfish and one HUGE colorful octopus free swimming! That was quite a sight!

Since we were walking distance from our apartment to the dive site we did a couple of night dives. We usually like to start a dive night at dusk so we can at least get a bearing of where we are and see the "changing of the guard" (different fish move in and move out at night).

We did one night dive fairly late at night after getting back from visiting the parrot rehab and rescue place.

It was pitch freakin' dark.

It was a little scary but it was cool seeing all the bioluminescence when you shut your lights off.

I shined my light around the reef and out of nowhere I saw a very large tarpon swim out.

He was a good 5-6 feet in length.

I continued my dive and again, the tarpon swam by.

Only this time he started to swim more frantically and looked like he was "flashing"

*"flashing" is when a fish swims fast up to something and rubs itself on that object. They usually do it to dislodge parasites.

I continued to keep an eye on him.

He continued to follows us and swim frantically.

In the pitch dark I would feel something bump into me.

It was that crazy tarpon.

I signaled to my husband that this dive was now over.

My husband said he thought this fish was named "Charlie" from a story he heard at the restaurant "Richards" a few years ago about the "too -friendly -kind -of -spooky -tarpon."

The next day, during day-light hours. we did a dive on this site again.

As I was looking under ledge watching an arrowhead crab I got this eerie feeling someone was staring at me.

I slowly turned to look and there was "Charlie" only a foot away from my face!

I hadn't heard from other divers at "divers paradise" that they had any encounters with "Charlie".

I think "Charlie" just liked us.

I think.

dodging the bullet

Everytime I go on vacation as of lately, I get serious anxiety attacks.
I just hate leaving my birds.
I've almost cancelled my trip numerous times.
Plus, it is guaranteed that I will get sick on the airplane.
Guaranteed.
The nasty body and chemical smells, dry dirty air, air pressure changes, lack of sleep and altitude never fail to trigger a monsoon migraine enough to make me puke.
I did make it on the plane to Bonaire but like clock-work was laid up in bed for entire day missing a full day of diving and just plain being human.
I went with a different car rental company this time which turned up to be a mistake.
The truck would not go into gear, it smelled of "brakes" and the tires were shiny bald.
The next morning, after waking up from my migraine coma a tire was completely flat. I called the rental car company to fix it.
I wasn't going to change a tire PERIOD! They fixed the tire and switched trucks. I felt I dodged a bullet on that one.
My cell phone doesn't work in Bonaire and we could've been stuck over at the Hilma Hooker or some other isolated remote place.
However, the "new" truck wasn't any better. The windsheild wipers didn't work. When you stepped on the brake it lunged first before stopping. They gave me this truck with the "gas empty" light on too. I was sweating it hoping to make it to the gas station.
I brought Bonaire guilders with me thinking to myself how smart I was to have saved 40 guilders (Bonaire currency) from my last trip. When I arrived at the gas station I was informed as of last March, Bonaire no longer accepts floras and guilders since they are no longer a part of the Netherlands Antilles. They now officially only take US dollars!I dodged the bullet again because my husband, thankfully, had $20.00 in US dollars on him.
This sort of stuff is what had been happening the entire trip. I would get myself into situations that would/could initiate panic but I ended up sliding under the wire so to speak.
The same thing happened leaving Bonaire as well. One couple we met while diving told us it was "snowing in Boston".
It's F*&^ing October!
This is one of the reasons I like to go on vacation in the fall to miss winter snowstorms. I thought they were joking.
When we arrived in Atlanta the plane sat and sat on the runway. I thought for sure we would miss our connecting flight. We made a dash to the connecting terminal a mile away and alas the terminal for departure was changed to another terminal! Panicking, we raced to that terminal only to be informed the flight was delayed due to weather conditions.
At least our luggage arrived at a reasonable time. Another bullet dodged.
We did get on that flight and arrived in Boston at 1:00 F*&^%ing am.
Again, I was sick. There was a foot of wet snow at the bus terminal. We just barely made the last bus departing from Logan at 1:20am. The ride was slow and treacherous with blinding wet snow.The thought of driving over the Newburyport bridge in this mess put me in a full blown panic attack.
We made it over the bridge. Another bullet dodged.
We arrived at home with no electricity.
Shit.
This was unusual since no matter how bad storms are we never lose our electricity. But we did, as well as all of Seabrook, Newburyport and Coastal New Hampshire. It was freezing cold, dark and the garage door opener did not work.
Shit shit shit.
I crawled into bed at 3:20am just thankful to be home.
At 9:00am, I heard the wonderful sounds of "click click click" which menat the elctricity was turned on. I was worried sick over my birds.
We dodged a bullet, once again.

illegal pets

I was horrified to see on the news about some nut case , Terry Thompson, who had this large menagerie of high end exotic animals as "pets"that he could keep "legally" on his property in the state of Ohio.
He apparently had some mental issues. He let ALL the animals loose in his town running amuck and then killed himself. These animals consisted of 18 rare bengal tigers, 17 lions, 8 bears and primates. Ohio, as well as Texas, Pennsylvannia, Alabama and Nevada, is one of the states that has "easy laws" to obtain these kind of exotics.
It's horrifying.
Not only for the public safety but for the animals.
Most of these animals including the "rare" one were shot and killed to protect the public.
I'm sure you may all remember the story about the chimp that went crazy, attacking a neighbor maiming her horribly.
There was a show on the animal planet channel called "fatal Attraction" about horrifying incidents with people and their exotic animals.
How Thompson obtained these rare animals is puzzling.
Ironically illegal animal smuggling and trafficking still exists worldwide.
I just read from the Long Island Parrot society's newsletter that recently 500 parrots were confiscated in the black markets in south America.
In my previous posts over a 100 baby parrots were recovered from a smuggling bust in Bonaire.
*I will be investigating this situation and keep you posted.
All in all many rare and exotic untamable animals are keep legally as pets.
Whereas, a domestically bred monk (or quaker) parrot in many states is illegal.
They are cute, friendly easily kept little parrots.
Ironically, Pennsylvannia which is one of more lenient states for keeping wild exotic animals will confiscate and euthanize a monk parrot if you are caught owning one! It is because they are considered a "Agricultural pest".(It is "suspected" but not verified)
F*cking amazing...
Are these people screwed up or what?

Here are the laws (below) pertaining to monk (quaker) parrots

Activity
StateCommissions
STATE
LAW OR RESTRICTION

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Alabama
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Fish and Game
Alaska
Legal with no restrictions

Game and Fish Department
Arizona
Legal with no restrictions

Game and Fish Commission
Arkansas
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Fish and Game
California
Illegal to own or sell; no exceptions

Division of Wildlife
Colorado
Quaker Parrots are Illegal All Parrots have to be banded.

Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Natural Resources
ConnecticutUpdated 2003
It appears that this state has made it illegal to own, breed, sell, transport Quaker Parrots in the state.

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
Delaware
Legal without restrictions

Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Florida
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife
Georgia
--Prohibited as pets. Considered "wild animal". Breeding allowed with breeder's license ($236 annually) if bred for wholesale exportation. Transport across state lines is legal; no notice required if travel through Georgia is less than 24 hours duration.

Department of Land and Natural Resources
Hawaii
Illegal to own or sell; no exceptions

Fish and Game
Idaho
LEGAL

Department of Natural Resources
Illinois
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Natural Resources
Indiana
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Natural Resources
Iowa
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Wildlife and Parks
KansasUpdated March 2004(Thanks Richard)
ILLEGAL. The Quaker parrot, sometimes known as a monk parakeet, is an exotic species banned in Kansas. You may not possess or import them. The relevant state statutes are KSA 32-1004 and KSA 32-956, and the specific regulation is KAR 115-18-10.Mark ShoupKansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
Kentucky
Illegal to own or sell; no exceptions

Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Louisiana
Legal with no restrictions

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Maine
Legal with approved permit; but they are reluctant to issue any

Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Heritage Service
Maryland
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Fish and Game
Massachusetts
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Natural Resources
Michigan
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Natural Resources
Minnesota
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks
Mississippi
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Conservation
Missouri
Legal

Fish, Wildlife and Parks
Montana
Legal with no restrictions

Game and Parks Commission
Nebraska
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Wildlife
Nevada
Legal with no restrictions
YAY!Bill HB651
Fish and Game Department
New Hampshire
LEGAL - 5-6-2011
Updated NH -- New amendment passed into to state law that makes owning and selling Quaker "Monk" Parrots LEGAL!!! 5-6-2011 Bill 651. You will be able to bring your birds back into the state in July 2011. Many thanks to all who worked with the state to effect this change.
HopefulActivity
Division of Fish and Wildlife
New Jersey
Legal ownership granted via permit after STRICT criteria are met (Wow, check out these laws!) Section:7:25-4.8 "Potentially dangerous species" Quakers are included, listed as "potentially dangerous"..........and cannot be kept as pets.

Department of Game and Fish
New Mexico
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Environmental Conservation
New York
ALL pet birds must be banded to be sold retail, or to be boarded at a pet shop (they can be confiscated from a pet store if not banded). There is NO form of registration.

Wildlife Resource Commission
North Carolina
Legal with no restrictions

Game and Fish
North Dakota
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife
Ohio
Legal if wings are kept clipped (law passed June, 1996)

Department of Wildlife Conservation
Oklahoma
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Fish and Wildlife
Oregon
Legal with no restrictionsPest Risk Assesment

Game Commission
Pennsylvania
Illegal to own or sell; no exceptions (will euthanize)1973 - June 1 -- Illegal to import, sell or release Monk parakeets in Pennsylvania.

Department of Environmental Management
Rhode Island
Illegal to own or sell; no exceptions

Department of Natural Resources
South Carolina
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Game, Fish, and Parks
South Dakota
Legal with no restrictions

Wildlife Resources Agency
Tennessee
Illegal to own or sell; no exceptions

Parks and Wildlife
Texas
Legal with no restrictions

Division of Wildlife Resources
Utah
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Fish and Wildlife
Vermont
Ownership legal with no specific restrictions. Importing: All psittacine birds imported into Vermont must be banded, micro chipped or have other approved identification which identifies the breeder.

Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
Virginia
Ownership, buying, selling, and breeding are all legal IF birds are close-bandedIt is illegal to transport into Virginia unless moving there and birds are close-banded

Department of Fish and Wildlife
Washington
Legal with no restrictions

Division of Natural Resources
West Virginia
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Natural Resources
Wisconsin
Legal with no restrictions

Game and Fish
Wyoming
Illegal to own or sell; no exceptions
Changes and proposals are noted with red star.

So it is Ok to own a rare bengal vicious tiger...

the worst and best commercials

I don't know.
There are just some commercials on TV I just have to get up and leave the room. They are offensive and annoying. They have the opposite effect to what they are trying to do.

I can not stand ANY and ALL Old Navy commercials.
Oh my God.
Do they purposely try to annoy the crap out of you with their obnoxious advertisements? My teenage neice likes their clothes but I can't stomach their store and not even because of their stupid commercials .

I think their clothes are cheap cheezy 'made in China" crap.
How about he charmin toilet paper commercial with those cartoon "cute' bears?
Is that the most disgusting commercial showing cartoon bears with toilet paper dingle-berries?
What is up with that?
That is just gross.
And of course that metro PC commercial with those two retarded India stooges. I guess I don't "get" "the joke" that they are trying to portray. Everytime I see those two clowns I have to leave the room.

The best commercial on TV that "works" is one for the Chrysler 300 series.
"Imported from Detroit".
That is bloody brilliant!
The other car commercial that "works" is the Kia sorento with the giant sock monkey singing and dancing "how do ya like me now!?"
I don't know, but it "works". It's funny.
The other one is an ad from JetBlue where they are advertising extra legroom. They have a guy (who looks like my brother) squished in a car saying, "I'm hot, cramped and we haven't even left yet". Everytime I see that ad I crack up. And yes, you think of how many times you are squashed in those smelly uncomfortable airplane seats and wished to God you had more leg and arse room.
With that said, maybe other airlines will 'take a hint" and upgrade their planes to make flying a little more endurable. That would be nice but I am not holding my breath...

the wild pigeons of Salisbury beach part 45

In the morning on the beach there are different pigeons that come and go.

I now see "Frosted" occasionally on my back deck looking in the window for "Craow Dum". ("Frosted" is a grey pigeon with a brown head with a frosting colouring on his/her scalp)

Craow Dum now weighs 322 grams.

He is a load.

He is now starting to coo like a regular pigeon but it is more like a purr.

He loves to be held and petted. He hates being stuck in his rabbit hutch. He spends most of the day outside the hutch walking around when I am home. He still follows me around like a dog and sits by my feet in the living room.

He also likes to sit on the dining room table next to "Whook"(the blue budgie). The other birds don't seem to mind him either. I think they see him as a big doofus. Sometimes I think he would've been more appropriately named, "Baby Huey".

My husband has a nutty whenever he sees the pigeon on the table. "Get that pigeon off the table! He poops everywhere! GROOOOOOSSSSS!"

Needless to say, I change the tablecloth everyday-even twice a day. Craow Dum can be problematic when I leave the table to say, answer the telephone at dinner time, He won't go over to eat my dinner like the other birds but he sits his big bum directly in my plate for some reason.

My house sometimes stinks like vinegar. White vinegar is a natural nontoxic safe disinfectant cleaner. I use it to clean the birds cages and around the house because it is safe to use rather than store brand caustic deadly cleaners. I also use a product called 'poop off" that is "Al Gore friendly" as well to use around birds to well, clean up poop.

Despite of the mess the birds constainly make I keep up with it to make sure my house is so clean you can eat off the floor.

Well I have to finish this post because "Patches" is screaming for me to let him out of the cage.

"Whew!"

Yes, they are demanding little brats!

rainbow bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...

*"Smitty" the green budgie passed away yesterday.

All creatures, no matter how small and or how large, deserve respect and kindness.

"Smitty "was named after a 'lost" budgie that hung around a group of wild cherry head conures in San Francisco from Mark Bittner's story, "the Wild parrots of Telegraph hill".

A few years ago, I went to San Francisco specifically to see these feral parrots. I met up with Mr. Bittner and told him I named a parakeet that I 'found on Salisbury beach' after "Smitty" in his book.

I think Smitty had a good life.

whook & smitty's vet visit

I took both Whook and Smitty to the vet this morning.

Yesterday, I had added a few drops of organic apple cider vinegar to Whook's water. Later that night, he was almost back to his normal self.

The vet examined Whook and did a gram stain. Everything was normal and healthy. I told her I gave him ACV yesterday and seemed to have perked him up. She instructed me to carry on because whatever ailed him seemed to have cleared up. The vet said that Whook was a little over weight with fatty deposites but overall, in decent shape. He is, after all, 11 years old. (The average budgie lives only to age 8 but they can live to up to 18 years)

Smitty, as I had predicted, had a very large fast growing tumor. It wasn't a bacterial infection or any other disease that could spread to my other birds. I wanted to just make sure of what was wrong with him just in case my diagnosis was wrong. And sadly, again, as I predicted with a tumor there is nothing that could've be done other than palliative treatment such has keeping him comfortable with a dose of meloxicam (anti-inflamatory) as I had done. Unfortunately, at this point, Smitty is wasting away (pale and thin) and is beyond any treatment other than being put to sleep.

I thought this might be a gentle solution for him but my husband was with me and refused this option . He wanted Smitty to pass on peacefully with his friends surrounding him. I knew this is what he wanted to do so I was not going to argue with him. We had discussed with earlier addressing this posssibility.

I am very glad Whook is OK.

As of now, Smitty is resting in a clean cage with a soft bottom covering waiting his turn to cross the rainbow bridge.

*photo above: Smitty and girl-friend Twillinger

labeling

Labeling.

We all do it, even unintentially.

My mother enrolled me with a subscription of "Whole life" magazine because as she felt I would enjoy the magazine since (I) am "a health nut".

(I don't consider myself as a "health nut". I only work-out and eat right because I don't want a big fat ass. I don't work-out necessarily because I enjoy it)

Regardless, it is funny how she equates that "label" -"health nut" with me.

Where as, I look at this magazine as a "hippy dippy earthy-crunchy" rag with all it's ads for vitamens, hemp clothing and articles on yoga stretches.

Even I am "labeling".

This morning when I went for my crack-o-dawn jog I saw two mice scurring up a wall by a liquor store. My first reaction, was "oooooooh digusting!" I immediately equate ("label") mice and rats as nasty disgusting creatures.

I met a fellow diver on Easy Diver who had rats for pets.

He loved them!

He talked about how clean they were, affectionate and about their unique personalities. I realized that the same goes for pigeons. We talked about how much money we spent on our pet's vet visits too.

People label pigeons as gross, stupid and vile creatures. And of course, I beg to differ.

Arab countries view dogs as vile digusting creatures and of course, here in the USA, dogs have the same status as any family member. You abuse a dog here you go to jail.

It is funny and interesting how things are perceived in our mind's eye.

back to the vet, again..

I do not know what is going on lately.

I took Button in for second round of meds. She is doing great but it is puzzling to why she got sick. Patches is doing better too. His final rounds of meds will be done on sunday.

Smitty is still hanging in there too.Thursday morning he was at the bottom of the cage pooping out blood. I've never seen this sort of problem when any of my budgies had tumors. This was alarming. I thought he was definitely a goner. By the afternoon he was pooping normally and eating. I am starting to doubt that he has a tumor afterall. Something else might be going on. Gastroenteritis? Megabac?This morning I noticed "Whook" my favorite and oldest budgie slumped over his perch breathing hard.

I thought to myself, "oh shit..what the hell is going on?"

I called both vet offices I generally visit to see if I could get in today right away. Unfortunately no one was taking patients in today or no avian vets were on call today. Both offices suggested that I drive to Angel Memorial in Boston but the reality is with my poor tunnel vision eyesight I would never make it there in one piece-especially since it is pouring buckets out.

Thankfully, I got an appointment tomorrow in Ipswich. I am bringing both Smitty and Whook in. Maybe Smitty will have a chance.

Needless to say I am a wreck.

I spent the entire day yesterday dusting and vacuming. The feather dust amps up the dust factor monumentally. This dust if not routinely cleaned up can cause "bird keepers lung" so I am extremely vigilant in keeping up with it. It is surprising how much the dust accumulates in such a short period of time. I have a air purifier but it is so noisy. I think I should just put up with the noise and use it. Something is making my birds sick and I still can't figure out what it is.

Hopefully, I have have answers to what is going on, at least, with my two budgies.

Arggggghhhh......

our day at the Topsfield faire

I bought discount tickets through the Newburyport Daily news for the Topsfield faire for this year.

I 've been to the faire years ago. I don't remember much except for all the food and farm animals. I do remember that the traffic on route 1 was horrendous.

I hate traffic and I hate crowds however I found out that there would be fancy show pigeons on display there.

I figured if I went the back roads and arrived when the fair first opened I could avoid the nightmarish traffic.

At 9:30am, the backroads (on rte 97) there was zero traffic. We slid right in. It was busy but not grossly crowded, yet.

We made a bee-line straight for the chickens, ducks, turkeys and pigeons. It never ceases to amaze me the different breeds of chickens. I think it is pretty cool that people still involve themselves in taking the time to raise and care for these animals. Most of the show animals on the display were from kids involved in 4-H clubs.I found that to be a very positive sign to see kids interested in this sort of activity.

There were a few pigeons on display. They were healthy, robust and beautiful. I wanted to contact the owners but changed my mind when I found out that the owners were just high school kids. Probably not a good idea in this troubling day and age.

Another reason I wanted to go the faire was to check out who "Mrs. Essex County" was.

I figured next year I would give it a try in entering the contest.

I don't care about winning. I just want to compete.

I think it would be fun and funny. The talent contest is basically a recipe contest. I'm not good at home-style New England recipes even though I've lived here my entire life but I perfected other types of yummy exotic recipes that Ive invented that might be interesting.

I do think I might have a problem in the 'personality" aspect on the contest since I'm not exactly "miss bubbly persona". Regardless, this is something I've always wanted to do since the day I've tried to compete for the title of "miss Hampton beach' about a 100 years ago when my then jealous insecure pud* of a "boyfriend" did everything he could to prevent me from entering.

(I am soooo glad he is out my life for good. Brrrrrrr)

(*definition: pud-short fat stubby penis)

My nice handsome husband thinks it would be a hoot for me to enter. He said to me, "you know. if you win you you'll have to be a judge in the pig races and chicken tossing contests". We both looked at each other and laughed out loud. Forget the Manolo Blahniks, I guess I would have to wear a pair of wellies under my gown.

It was a beautiful day as we walked around, ate frozen chocolate bananas and "people watched".

I bought some wax at the bee keepers display for dry suit zippers and after that, it was time to go home. It was starting to get overwhelmly crowded and I was getting hot and cranky.

All in all it was an pretty entertaining day.

dive #844 & 845 October 9 2011

Dive # 844 Oct 9 2011

I couldn't wait to go diving today.

Not only the weather was predicted to be unseasonably warm but I just had to tell Pete what my sister said about him.
She called him "studmuffin teddy bear eyes".

Oh my God, I thought I would pee my pants cracking up.

Where does she think of these things.(?) I think my sister "likes" Pete.

I told Chris the story and she thought "teddy bear eyes" were actually kind of scary looking being black buttons with strings hanging out.
The weather was perfect except for a bit of a unpredictably NWN wind blowing. I did feel a little seasick despite my two doses of seasick pills that I take on every trip.

We headed over to the wreck of New Hampshire.

Aboard "Easy Diver" besides the crew of Fred, Chris, Pete and Pat we had passengers , Tim M who had a student with him, a 'froggie", Alex and Bill L.

The viz was about 10 feet but clearer closer to the rocks. There was lots of schooling fish. I found one giant moon snail and stuck it in front of Alex while he was filming. Everyone seemed happy and content. A couple of the guys were "treasure hunting" for nails.
I was amazed at how delicious the spinach sandwiches are when you are out on the boat. The same goes for apples. Last weekend, when diving was canceled due to bad weather I ate my sandwiches that I had prepared. The sandwiches do not taste that good on land, that is all I can say.

dive #845
We went over by the stone house. The viz was much better. This is a nice site because of the rock formations. The fish were busy schooling. Lots of pollack and cunners.
Water temp was about 57F. Sadly, this was my last dive of the season aboard the boat.

It was a great day and everyone seemed to have fun.
As always, the season is way soooooo short.
Maybe, just maybe, I'll "brave' a winter dive with the nutty buddies.

St. Francis, where are you?!

On Oct 4th in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Catholic patrons celebrate Sao Francisco de Assis (St. Francis) by bringing their pets to church for a blessing. This means all kinds of pets from dogs, cats, birds and reptiles were invited!

I saw an ad in the local paper for the annual blessing of animals at a church in Methuen as well.

I need St. Francis's help ASAP!

Yesterday, it was pouring rain. I decided after my work and chores were completed to just hunker down with my birds. I just happen to notice one of my lutino tiels (Button) eyes was a little red in the corner. Conjuntivitis is fairly common in lutinos but it means something secondary is going on. Rather than "wait to see what happens" I immediately called the avian surgeon to see if they had an opening. They called me back within 30 minutes and told me to come right down.

It turns out she had a big time infection in her throat. Oddly, her infection was different than Patches and unrelated. She got an injection of Doxycycline. (20mg/ml/ml) This stuff is pretty potent. It is what is used to treat chlamydiosis-which is nasty.

Instead of feeling sorry for myself and feeling defensive in how I upkeep the birds in a hygienic state I decided to fine tooth comb the bird room for anything that might be making the birds sick. I got rid of the caclium cups first of all. I replaced wooden platforms. I changed and cleaned out the water filters. They are just small steps but I need to eliminate any factors that is even remotely problematic.

Patches seems to be getting better and Button seems alert.

The vet also inquired about Craow Dum. I told her he is doing fine but he makes a 'croaking" sound. She still thinks it is developmental defect but as always, keep an eye on him.

St. Francis, where are you?

Oct 4th 1226

Today is the anniversairy of the death of my patron saint, Italian Catholic friar, Saint Francis of Assisi.

He was born Giovanni Francesco di Bernardine in 1181. He lived to the ripe old age of 45 years old. I have a few more years over him continuing as the patron saint of birds, fish and reptiles. (wink)

Although, I have St. Francis statues posted all over my house. I need all the help I can get in taking care of all my birds.

I started giving Smitty (the green budgie with a tumor) a little baytril (antibotic) on saturday and today, a drop of metacam (antinflamatory) hoping it would help him. He's seems to have perked up. At least the metacam will relieve any pain he has if nothing else. He likes to have a cage all by himself filled with yummy millet treat that he doesn't have to share. He is still hanging in there.

I just started giving Patches his meds yesterday.

I am hopeful.

At least he is drinking and eating. His cage is pretty much germ-free now as well.

Everyone else seems to be Ok for now.

Craow Dum follows me around like a dog. Yesterday, when I was upstairs working on the computer I could hear a "thump thump..peeeep..peeeep!"

He was trying to climb up the stairs looking for me! He's a funny little thing. I am still cautious of his health so I keep a close eye on him. He makes a weird croaking noise especially at night like a person would if they have chronic allergies. His eyes are bright, his nose is clear and his poop looks perfect. I still watch him closely.

Yes, St Francis I still need your guidance!

another gross day in paradise!

*warning* the following post is kind of gross.

Of course, I couldn't sleep all night worrying about Patches. At the stroke of 8:00am I called the vet to let her know that Patches is now digging his claw down his throat constainly AND upchucking. Patches also refuses to poop in his cage so I have to take him out and make him poop.

It is a gigantic wet green splotch.

My husband screams and runs for cover.

Patches has also been upchucking seeds and goo. He can strategically fire one to land squarely on my face.

This is not good.

I drove up to Windham, NH to the vet office in the pouring rain to get his meds.

I am hoping this does the trick. The cause of his illness is that he has a pseudomonas infection in this throat. He will be on an antibotic (baytril )15mg/ml .08ml twice a day for two weeks as well as antifungal (diflucan) 10mg/ml .08mil twice day for two weeks.

And of course, I am going flaming nuts to how and why he got this infection.

From what I've read about it in my vet books this bacteria resides in water.

Needless to say, I took apart the water filters. I not only changed the filters but bleached the filtering containers/devices. I chucked my cutting board as well replacing it with a glass one. Who knows if nasty bacteria has been accumulating on it when I cut their veggies. I'm not taking any chances. I chucked the sink sponge too. Those things get gross really fast. All of Patches toys will go in the dish washer as well as his dishes. All of the calcium cups have been chucked and replaced with cuttle bones.

And of course, I'll clean the floors and cages like I do routinely.

I have to wash and vacume the floors now more often since the pigeon lives with us. He poops constainly so I follow him around with a paper towel. Craow Dum, so far, has no signs of those feather lice but he still coughs up phlegm. He, like Patches, also seems to have the uncanny ability to accurately shoot one to land on my face as well. He also sheds an enormous amount of feather dander. It looks like snow.

I stopped by my cousins house for tea. She curiously asked what I had on my shoulder and she proceeded to wipe it off. Her face turned white with nausea when I nonchalantly told her ,"oh that's bird shit. Patches probably did that just before I left the house."

Yes, having pets is gross.

I'll admit it, but at the same time I can not begin to tell you how much cleaning, dusting , vacuming, washing and disinfecting I do on a daily basis. This is a way of life for me because I am a serious germaphobe.

I walked Mattie the naughty little Jack Russell today like I usually do. I was horrified when I walked into the kitchen and living room to see shit smeared all over the floor.

"God dammit", I thought.

I don't know what she ate but she pooped in her doggie bed and then proceeded to wipe her ass all over the floor around and around in a spiral pattern smear.

I cleaned 90% of the crap up and wrote a note for the owner so she would not be shocked to see mess all over the bed.

I took Mattie out for her walk and she continued to poop.

Apparently she must of gotten into a bag of string beans and ate them WHOLE.

Just so you have a visual, the string beans were hanging out of her butt one by one on a string.

Yes, there were fully undigested whole string beans all over the yard.

OK I need to take my bath now, thank you very much.

the wild pigeons of Salisbury beach part 44

It is rainy crappy day with winds blowing out of the NE.

A typical October day, really.

Unfortunately, this makes for a 'no diving today' day.

The pigeons were nowhere to be seen on the beach. They must bee hiding somewhere out of the wind.

I have been completely stressed out worrying about my birds so a nice "weather cooperating" day for that "one more day of diving" would've been just what the doctor ordered.

Unfortunately, it was not meant to be.

Oh well.

Craow Dum has been doing OK. He follows me around and pecks at my hands and feet. He will snuggle up to me like a dog would.

My long time pal came up yesterday for a visit. I didn't tell her about the pigeon.

She stopped and gasped when she noticed the pigeon hut.

"What the F*&^!?!"

(Yup, it is a pigeon)

She shakes her head in amazement.

"Aren't you afraid of germs?"

(He has been given meds ranging from antibotics, antifungal, antiprotozoa and sprayed twice for lices and mites. Hey, by the way, take off your friggin' sandy sneakers they are making a mess of my floor for Chriss sake!)

"F**&!"

"You actually spent money and took him to the vet?"

(Yup, I couldn't just leave him there))

"Jesus..he is a homely little thing"

(His mouth is deformed so he can not pick up seeds. So he has to live with us)

"I'm afraid to ask..where did you find him?"

(In a sewer drain)

"Oh my GOD! That is gross HOW did you so happen to find him in a sewer drain?"

(I was jogging by and saw him stuck in a grate)

"That's just gross"

"Oh My God! What is on your deck? Are those pigeons?"

(Yes, those are pigeons and they come by all the time to visit)

"That is so hilarious! They are actually trying to look through the glass door!"

(Yup)

"Wait til I tell my mother. She will crack up"

(Tell her that "Whook" (the blue budgie) was asking for her)

She then shook her head with a grin and sighed.

*Here is the latest photo of Craow Dum. (above) You will notice how his beak can not close so he is a "mouth breather".

more on Patches

Patches behavior has been extremely odd. I am still waiting from the throat culture results from my vet (and DNA test). In the meantime, Patches has been regurging as if he has a mate to feed. He also has been scratching his face and then licking his food. I checked him for any thing that may look odd around his nose and ears but he looks fine.

He also will not poop nor eat in his cage. He behaves like a male but then, the vet felt two round lumps in his abdomen that felt like eggs.It is possible that it was also his liver BUT if he had liver problems his poop would be yellow.

I am anxious to see what the results are and at the same time, could this bird possess both male and female organs? Could he/she be a freak? I read that it can occur in bird but it is extremely uncommon and for the most part, hermaphrodite birds do not live long. Patches is at least 10 years old.

I thought I would share this letter I found on a parrot website:

I have two questions concerning my 22 year old derbyan parakeet hen. She was born blind, but has laid some infertile eggs alone and with a fertile male companion (for fun only!). The past year, Lani began to get a huge amount of orange on her beak like amale does. has anyone ever heard of an aged derbyan female that did that?Could it mean she is hermaphrodite?Also: Would there be a health reason that an older parrot would totally refuse and go off dry foods (that she formerly liked best)--like pellets and some seeds, in favor of only soft, raw soaked and cooked foods? Lani did this last year also.
Answered by Dr. Brian Speer, DVM:These types of color changes can and do occur. There is the possibility of a shift in hormonal production, and some hens actually will develop an active ovotestes as they age that begins to product testosterone. There also health issues that could be of concern, and some forms of tumors could be of concern here too. For this reason, if you have not already had this done, a good physical evaluation of your bird is appropriate.A change in dietary preference for soft food items could merely be a sift in personal preference, or it could be related to pain and increased sensation of the tomium and occlusal ledges of the lower and upper mandibles. A physical examination is most certainly a worthy consideration here too
filed under: Health and Nutrition