I survive another day: Parrots & Play Practice

Today I am whacked. Period. Because yesterday I had a good 'adventure day', so to speak. All sorts of new things learned!
 
  I went on a field trip with my homeschool group to the parrot sanctuary{who new my state even had a parrot sanctuary!! I was very surprised.} Very awesome, or as Bethie would say "epic"! Unfortunately I forgot to take my camera{a huge mistake!!!} and I missed so many brilliant photo-ops I could have beat myself over the head with a large cudgel. I did take my phone and try taking pics but I'm not sure how to get them on the computer.
  There were about 50-70 beautiful birds, sizes ranging from a tiny sparrow proportions to nearly hawk sized birds.
 The sanctuary specialized in parrots and cockatiels mostly, though they had an endangered toucan that can only be found in three other places in the US -- all big city zoos! I was extremely surprised to see how small it was. When most people envision a toucan they think crow sized birds, right? Well, in fact most breeds are about the size of a downey woodpecker! Very cool.

Most all the birds there were from either abusive homes or ones that could no longer take care of them. Coming from all over. One little guy came clear from Hawaii.
The sanctuary does all it can to help the abused birds, I was amazed at the their dedication to the feathery critters. All the staff are volunteers and the sanctuary itself is nonprofit, and yet they drove all the way across the state to a vet to help rescue a love bird! Incredible.
 Many of the bird have horribly sad stories. One, a 65 year old crested cockatiel, its owner decided he didn't want it anymore and so poured a pot of boiling water over it in an effort to exterminate it. Another was left in its blanket covered cage in a dark basement for eight years. Another extremely rare red parrot's owners decided it would make a good dog toy. He now has only one eye and no tail.
There are other kinds of stories as well. One large parrot wasn't handled properly and bit a man finger off! Our tour guide told us that a parrot has as much force in its beak as a twelve foot alligator! Crazy stuff.

 All the birds emitted to the sanctuary are carefully retrained and cared for until they can be adopted out. Most birds who have been there a few months you cold never tell they had a hard life before hand. Others will never go up for adoption because the staff only trust professionals to care for them.{i.e. the one that bit a guys finger off probably won't be going anywhere soon.}
 You can tell that the staff genuinely care for and love the birds and the birds love them. Its very evident if you wish to adopt a bird. You have to put in a certain number of hours{usually around eight} connecting with your prospective bird and taking several classes with it to make sure you know how to care for it and that you get on with it well -- and even then sometimes the sanctuary will have to say no if they don't think your the 'right one'. Oh, I forgot. They also do a home inspection.
 They do all this because before when they had no criteria they would adopt out a bird and then a few days later see it on an illegal market for a lot of money.
*sigh*
I'm very glad I went, though. :) I saw the cutest tiny green parrot named Pete! He such had itybity eyes! So sweet. :)

I also had my first play practice yesterday. It went well. Lasted two hours, but I had a lot of fun. I've never acted before - well, not in public. lol! And I'm really liking it! I almost wish my part was bigger. Almost. :)
Its fun to watch the others too. Especially when they reach a part in the script where you invented an insult for the occasion :) "You piece of yesterdays mutton!" That was {one}mine!
Well, must dash. I've got a few chores to finish and Mum's getting impatient.....
~Gwyn