This is one of my favourite pictures of Ellie even though I have ones that are technically better. It reminds me of St Francis of Assisi and I think of Ellie as a Saint - St Ellie of Nerang. This was our "Miracle Pigeon". One day Markus heard a noise on the roof and found this wild native pigeon fluttering in the gutter. He was trapped but Markus set him free. This amazingly intelligent little creature must have sensed that Markus saved it because it would stay around us, sitting on our arms and here on Ellie's head and sometimes eating out of Ellie's hand. During the weeks that followed, we could not recognize him from the flock of wild pigeons except that when we would approach, they would normally fly off - except for this little fellow. Instead of flying off, he would fly towards us and sit on us and eat out of our hands. This is Ellie feeding another wild friend - a Galah. These gray, pink and white parrots are quite common in Australia and they have a very playful character that gave rise the the ozzie expression "as silly as a Galah." It has been documented in the Northern Territory that a flock would willfully fly into twisters (mild ones) just for the spiraling ride upwards. When they get tossed out at the top, they would dive down to repeat the ride - just like kids riding a roller coaster. Our homing pigeons are much too at home! Instead of nesting in their cage, they prefer the veranda. This little Magpie is as tame as a pet. We hand-feed it only occasionally, otherwise it would lose it's independence. It actually figured out that we get the minced meat from the fridge and will follow you into the house to the fridge! Now that must be a combination of bravery and trust. Sadie, our cat, never attacks the birds. As an Educat, she knows the rules. Previous page       Top       Next page - Rainbow Lorikeets       Home