Birds of a feather at the San Antonio Zoo
January 20, 2009
A beautiful, sunny, 70-degree holiday on Monday enticed us to spend the day outdoors, despite our itchy, cedar-fever-irritated eyes. So we packed up the kids and drove south to the San Antonio Zoo, where we fed these lovely Australian lories cupfuls of nectar.
Aren’t they beautiful?
Their yellow-green feathers reminded me somewhat of…
…the spineless prickly pear (Opuntia) growing along the path.
All material © 2006-2009 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
These parrots are gorgeous. Your photos make it seem like you were so close to them. WOW… The cactus is pretty too with those little yellow puff on them. I imagine that the spines are contained in those yellow spots.
I was that close to them, Lisa. When they let us, we could reach out and touch them. They weren’t tame but nearly so. —Pam
Oh Pam — that is so you! No one else I know would look at parrot feathers and think of plant patterns! Sounds like you had a great time at the zoo. It was a perfect day for it.
I didn’t notice the color similarity until after I got home and looked at my pictures, Diana. But obviously something about the color and textures of each caught my eye while I was at the zoo. —Pam
Nice textures! Hasn’t the weather been unusually perfect! Thanks for sharing!
It’s been simply beautiful lately. I know we need the rain, but I’m enjoying these bright, sunny January days. —Pam
Such color. That reminds me I saw a green parrot outside Best Buy at SW Parkway/Mopac on Wednesday last. I have never seen one anywhere other than Lady Bird Lake before. We’ll have them in the garden next.
I love those monk parakeets, Jenny. One day a few years ago, a whole flock of them soared right over my head at Brentwood Park in north-central Austin. I’d love to see some in the garden. —Pam
Wow, those parrots are so beautiful and of course, the cacti are fab! Love your close-ups.
Thanks, TeriC! —Pam
Love the juxtaposing of cacti with parrot plumes, Pam! Glad you had a lovely day away despite cedar-fever (sounds nasty).
Yeah, cedar fever is no fun, but thanks to allergy medication it doesn’t keep me indoors on nice days. —Pam
Lories are really sweet birds. It’s great that the zoo allows visitors to feed them. Beautiful colors, too!
Cameron
The kids really loved feeding the birds. What goes in must come out, however, and we had to do some quick dodging. 😉 —Pam
I absolutely love the patterns of bird feathers. What marvelous complexities and glorious intricacies they are.
And then to turn it around and see the same in a prickly pear…
There are marvelous patterns all around us, Susan. —Pam
The feathers are beautiful. I’ve never seen one of these birds in person. Wish I could!
Aiyana
The next time you’re in Texas, Aiyana… —Pam
Wow, those brilliant colors just pop off the page! Beautiful!
You would have liked this zoo, Robin. There were lots of bird exhibits. 🙂 —Pam
Now that is a colorful post. Perhaps I need one of these birds for the next Bloom Day!
That would brighten things up, wouldn’t it? —Pam
You’ll probably want to kill me when I tell you that Rainbow Lorikeets live all over Sydney and can be brought to visit any garden if you just plant bottle-brushes (I’ve just blogged about one of mine), grevilleas or banksias. They are lovely birds and can become very friendly if you hand-feed them (there are special mixtures you can buy). They make a high-pitched twitter when feeding but when they fly away, you’ll hear them screeching “Yerp! Yerp! Yerp!” to each other. It’s a pity that their call isn’t more musical!
That doesn’t make me want to kill you, Chookie! It’s wonderful. And any excuse to plant a bottle-brush, right? We love those trees and shrubs in Austin. —Pam
Hi Pam, that cedar fever sounds horrid, hope your medicine chest arsenal keeps it at bay for you. The parrots are a jolt of color and your photos are pure art. Love the comparison to the cacti too, brilliant!
Frances
The cedar fever IS horrid, but I can’t let it keep me indoors when the weather is this lovely. I’m glad you enjoyed the colorful pics. —Pam
Pam,
You always manage to snap the best photos! I average about 1 good photo for every ten!
That’s how it is for me too, Randy. When I find something interesting, I take a LOT of photos. I must have thrown out about 20 of these birds. —Pam
These photos are phenomenal, Pam! Frame some and keep them!
Brenda
Thanks, Brenda! —Pam
Pam, I’ve only experienced cedar fever once, on a shopping trip to Old Town Spring. It was NOT pleasant, so I really feel for you. Hang in there, spring is coming! I’m glad y’all made the trip to San Antone on Monday so you could share those glorious birds with us!
I’ll have some glorious blue walls from the San Antonio Antique Rose Emporium to share with you tomorrow, Cindy. —Pam
Pam, Beautiful birds and so is the opuntia. Just reading about the cedar fever and my eyes start itching. I did follow the links! The male tree releasing the pollen was incredible and must be very unnerving for someone allergic. I totally understand the People Against this tree! gail
Cedars add a lot of pretty greenery and a nice scent in the winter, but, boy, their pollen adversely affects a lot of Austinites. —Pam
Australia is home to some of the most brilliantly-colored birds! I have a friend who lives in Sydney and she feeds all kinds of beauties right there in her back yard. What a fun day you had!
Yet another reason to visit Sydney one of these days! —Pam
I couldn’t decide which I liked better – the fiber optic feathers or the polkadotted prickly pear. It’s a good thing I don’t actually have to choose!
You don’t have to choose, and I’m glad you enjoyed the pics, Kris. Cheers! —Pam