I've been gathering images of Caribe and Bravo for some days now. Since I have well over 5000, I obviously needed help. So, Caribe, Bravo and I sat down at my computer and went through about 150 images to start.
Caribe, on the left, and Bravo, like to join me while I have my coffee and try to wake up.
Yeah, they helped. Both of 'em LOVE to see their pictures on a big monitor! They turn their heads so they can see the image better. They purr at those they like. Or, maybe it's puffed up head and neck feathers up, sayin,' "That's my bad side," or, "I blinked." Oh, yes, they talk to me. Problem is, I speak very poor "macaw." But, I DO understand quite a bit.
They DO love the camera!
I showed 'em my posts here. Caribe said, "Well, they're OK, but you're missing something." Not the comment I'd hoped for. "Alright, what am I missing?"
"Nobody knows WHO WE are. We didn't just APPEAR in front of your camera. We got BACK story, dude!" Caribe often speaks in all caps.
"And, that would be relevant...how?" No idea where they're goin' with this.
Bravo, in back, just finished a cherry. He's kinda messy sometimes. Yeah...kinda!
Caribe, normally the spokesbird, said, "Think back, David. When did you get me? How'd that happen? What was the deal when you walked in with my brother from another mother there, ol' Bravo Stupendicus?"
In "Macaw," this is, "Listen up! Don't make me repeat myself."
Bravo piped up with, "Yeah, 'member how you got ME? That was pretty amazing, gotta admit."
From day one, Bravo's been a BIG baby bird. Just happy to be alive!
I had to agree. Both of them had come to me by long and winding roads. So, I asked them to gimme an idea of what they'd say if THEY told those stories.
"Use pictures," Caribe said. Bravo started bobbin' his head up and down, one of his favorite behaviors. "Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh."
Ya' gotta admit, that's one GORGEOUS bird. Don't tell him, though. He's vain.
"Tell the stories. We'll help you. Throw in a bunch of pictures. People will love US! They always do."
He had a point. Caribe and Bravo have stood on hundreds and hundreds of arms at outreach events, social gatherings, huge Parrothead parties. BIG deals like Springtime Tallahassee, which pulls in a hundred thousand folks.
At a "Downtown Marketplace" in Tallahassee, Florida. Caribe on my right, Bravo on my left, ALWAYS.
They went to several Red Hills Horse Trials and wowed the crowds every year. Been to retirement homes, where residents who'd barely spoken in months, told me, in great detail, about the birds they had when they were children.
They've been to schools. Fifth graders REMEMBER significant events, and meeting two blue and gold macaws, in all their glory, is somethin' folks don't soon forget.
That's Bravo, and he REALLY liked this little girl. Even gave her a kiss. I about fainted.
So, I've been thinkin' on it. Yes, this Steemit bloggy thing is MY outlet, for MY reasons, for MY amusement. But, the stories of Caribe and Bravo are good ones to tell. Don't really matter if anyone reads 'em or not. I'll know they been told.
I'll try and do 'em justice. Think I'll start with Caribe.
Once writ, hit send.....Web Ryder
@webrydr Great Intro. You write like you talk. Makes it even more interesting than just quotin' numbers and facts.
amazing birds, indeed. i remember the first time i met a blue and gold...they were yours, as a matter of fact. these very same birds. man, they are some of the most photogenic creatures on the planet, are they not? very cool.