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20150805

150804 Kayaking on the Kinnickinnic River - River Falls Wi.

The exciting part of the 3 mile trip was the many rapids, but.. no rapids pictures, I was using both hands on the rapids trying to stay right side up. Many large rocks that are determined to turn you broadside.
. . So the 1 minute video is of the calm parts of the Kinnickinnic river in River Falls Wisconsin.
. . Nice way to spend a nice summer day.
Video = 150803 WI Kinnickinnic Kayaking Les Karen Edited.mp4
FB link = https://www.facebook.com/BertTheMensaChicken/videos/10153431472260295/

20150730

"Bird" - Well, actually Simon is not a bird.

"Bird"  150729 (Entered Themes and Visions - Birds) and my FB page.
Well, actually Simon is not a bird.

Simon Pigeon (Modena) was a bird, but has become a tiny human with feathers.
He is an important part of me.
We have bonded so totally and completely that I am not complete without him.
I rarely go ANYwhere without Simon. He loves riding in the car (on the dashboard)... he comes into stores with me, and on camping trips, vacations, visiting, when we go to our cabin, etc.
We communicate perfectly without any sounds (although he frequently talks to me). He has trained me to understand his language (mostly body language) very clearly. I always understand what he's telling me and what he wants. He knows how to ask.
He's 14yo and he's been with me for 7 years.
We always watch the news together with Simon cuddled under my chin (well, he usually naps thru the news).
Last thing in the evening he usually waddles over to me for his bed-time hug, and then I tuck him into his bed (But sometimes he does that by himself).
. . . Anyway... I have some excellent birds photos, some of which have already won contests, but... THIS is the most beautiful bird picture that I have. It's my favorite.
Simon loves me very much... and vise versa.
PIC =  (Entered in "Themes and Visions" pic= 141021i# 2731 Pigeon Portrait Simon - Copy)
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Comment.

14 years ago Simon lived with a family that had parrots. The parrots became too rough with Simon and they were afraid for Simons life. So, I was the lucky one.  Simon lived free outside for the first 10 years of his life.
. . Modena Pigeons (the breed) are very Macho... quite aggressive and rarely tolerate human interaction. SO for 2-1/2 years,  I couldn't even touch him, he would peck, and bat at me with his wings, although he would come to me for treats.
> >  BUT one day after 2-1/2 years, Simon was standing on my knee and he purposely stared into my eyes for a few minutes ...  I could tell he was "thinking".  Then for the next 2 weeks he did that frequently. I KNEW something unusual was going on in his mind.
. . In those 2 weeks, It was like flipping a switch. Simon decided he liked me. Then he decided he loved me. Now he always demands to be hugged and cuddled constantly, much like a kitten would. Now he's my BFF (Bird Friend Forever).
Pic C:\Personal PICS AND VIDS +2000\-H Pics 2014\140528 2731 Pigeon Simon on Les shoulder   ....... Simon on my shoulder, blue plaid shirt.
FB Themes and Vision LINK = https://www.facebook.com/groups/532534580142602/permalink/976472742415448/
FB general my page LINK = https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153417912290295&set=a.10151252769390295.516518.752165294&type=1

20150723

150723 Cow with meat cuts tattoo on her side.

150723 Cow with meat cuts tattoo on her side.
#‎OnTheFarm‬ - Once she saw what I had done, she became a bit nervous
Pic = 100721b RiverFallsWi FarmFest COWBeefCuts
FB link = https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153403286905295&set=a.10151252769390295.516518.752165294&type=1

150722 Park built on Huge trash pile

150722 What's so unusual about this city park near St Paul MN? It's an artificial hill about 80 feet high, 1/4 mile long and nearly as wide.
(see answer in comments).
Comment = It's built entirely of trash from a bunch of decades ago. Today it's a very nice park and you'd never know it's history.  There's a Frisbee course there too.
Pics =
FB link = https://www.facebook.com/BertTheMensaChicken/posts/10153401463120295

150417 a & b (Lochness park in Blaine MN)

20150718

150718 Hot dead heat stroke Chickens

150718 Hot dead heat stroke Chickens
It was very hot and muggy, 88deg with very high humidity.
I raced outside when I saw these 2 dead Chickens laying in the hot sun next to the cactus, ... Heat stroke?
NO... they were just sunbathing. The coop right next to them is very cool for them if they wanted to be cooler.
.. The aviary and coop are the coolest places they can be on an hot day (natural thermostatically controlled A/C, cool air is blown in thru ducts).
Pic = 150717a 2731 Chickens hot Barney Sophia Cheekie
FB link = https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153390606885295&set=a.10151252769390295.516518.752165294&type=1

20150619

150619 Simon goes to bed / enclosure


The last thing I do every night before bed is hold Simon up in front of my face, tell him I love him, and say goodnight to him. Then I put him in his bed.

. . YESterday during the DAY, I held him in the same way and had an ordinary conversation with him. I guess he misunderstood because when I put him down he trotted right over and put himself to bed. He's such a sweetie.

Pic = 150611a 2731 Vid Clip pic Pigeon ready for bed Simon.jpg
FB link = https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153320753875295&set=a.10151252769390295.516518.752165294&type=1

20150615

150615 FB Post - Passenger Pigeons are not extinct.

This is when Simon is the 2nd most happy... when riding in the car.
The 1st most happy is when he is being cuddled and loved (that's most of the time).
Pigeons are very temperature tolerant ... comfortable at -30 to 110 or so.
 
Video = 150614 Stillwater Blvd Elmo to Oakdale Pigeon on dash Simon.MP4
FB Link = https://www.facebook.com/BertTheMensaChicken/videos/10153311694025295/
MY FB COMMENT:
I never go anywhere without Simon except on those summer days when  I can't leave him in the hot car ... but then I usually take him in the car anyway if visiting, or I take him into stores with me (not where there's food or medical).  He just waits on the counter while I pay.  He is quite welcome most everywhere I go.  This is the hospital waiting room. The entire staff held him.

Pic = 150220a boutwells Gables Simon Pigeon in waiting room.jpg