Baby Birds - (2 days old)

How cute are these two hungry baby birds?! I disturbed them and I think they thought I was "Mom" or "Dad" and had some food for them.

At one point, there were a couple more open mouths, but I didn't have my camera. DARN!

Just Hatched!!

As of yesterday, mid-afternoon, all of the eggs that the House Finch layed in my hanging flower basket's nest had been hatched! There were four or five, I could never quite tell for certain without disrupting their home. Now there are four or five brand new... delicate (the most delicate little things I've ever seen!), helpless, baby birds piled up and staying warm... either in the sunshine, or underneath their Mom / Dad.

Can you see the one stretching his / her neck up out of the bunch? And another one's beak below?

I will be taking LOTS of pictures as they fledge and then fly off on their own.

AMAZING!

P.S. Speaking of birds... you rock, Richard!

Saving the bird that was trapped in your fence. :)

Expecting Babies

Two birds... House Finches I believe... have nested in my one and only hanging flower pot, just outside my front door.

Shortly after the perfectly round nest was made (which is just amazing to me), there were five eggs in it! I've been watering very carefully, just around the outside edges, as to not get the nest / eggs wet, but to continue to offer a nice home for this little bird family. As I watch these birds, the male and female make a great team, ("Dad" sits on the edge of the planter keeping watch, and "Mom" sits on the eggs).

I can't wait until the babies arrive! It's been since May 26th or 27th that the eggs were layed... I wonder how long until they hatch??

Vote for Caleb!

I have entered a picture of one of my handsome boy rats, Caleb, in a "exotic pocket pet" Photo Contest for the month of May. There's some stiff competition it seems, (especially with Hank, the rat in photo #7, who is pulling ahead in votes quickly)!

Please vote for Caleb... he's photo #1!

http://hhgerbilry.com/gerbilshow1.html

You can vote once a day... please keep voting!

Dog Walking!

My next door neighbor / friend, Tom, has a dog named Draco. He's a rather large dog... part German Shepard, part I forget. He's getting up there in age, though I cannot recall (geez, am I having memory issues this early in life?) how old he is, but I think it's around 12.

If you know me, you know that I have a severe allergy (asthmatic) to dogs and cats. This REALLY sucks for me, since I'm an animal lover, and I especially love dogs... and my ratties of course, which I'm also severely allergic to (but they are caged and the dander is minimalized, etc.).

I recently asked Tom if it would be alright for me to take Draco for a walk sometimes, and he said YES! For the past week, I've walked Draco almost everyday... either after work (if Tom worked the evening shift), or during my lunch (if Tom worked the day shift).

Tom thinks I'm doing him a favor... I don't think he realizes that he's actually doing ME a favor. With being able to walk with Draco, I am able to spend some quality time with a wonderful dog... petting him, talking to him... and at the same time, we're outside where there's no dander / saliva / dog hair buildup. After our walks, I sit with him on Tom's patio or mine, and Draco and I hang out for a bit. (Draco doesn't usually like to go right back inside, which is clear as he stares at the open door. haha).

After my "Draco time," I must wash my hands really well. If I don't I may get hives, and my eyes will definitely get all red and itchy if I accidentally touch them. And I think the antihistamine that I take daily helps a little as well. :)

The happiness this brings me in indescribable, and I hope Draco enjoys it as well.

Rats CAN / DO laugh!