These are rose-ringed parakeets, and are beautiful. The Quaker is much smaller, with a grey breast and a shorter tail. No other wild parrot currently living and breeding in Florida has the red beak and ring around the collar of its neck, so it's pretty easy to identify it. I know they are exotic, too, but I still can't bring myself NOT to love them. VERY pretty pictures, Jan1. Thanks for sharing. Marcia

Well, the pair came by again today. They've found another delicacy in the yard, the seeds of a terribly invasive vine with gorgeous pink flowers. I have no idea what it is, I'm constantly pulling it, probably because birds eat the seeds and drop them in my yard. But watching the two of them in the very tippy top of the little oak, toppling over head-first to get to their seeds, was pretty cool. I'm still pulling that vine and the Virginia creeper in the cabbage palm next to it, but maybe I'll leave it for another week, just in case I get to see "my" pair of Amazons. Funny was watching them look down completely unconcerned at the hunter cat with the bell. He's small for a cat and they're big for birds and he sulked by, making it clear he knew he was outmatched and wasn't happy about it. He stalked off to the neighbor's yard to terrorize their cats, who haven't figured out he's declawed and fixed. They think he's one bad kitty because when they first tried to defend their food, the giant yellow lab barked at the commotion. They seem to have decided that my little guy has a bodyguard. We need to give our neighbors cat food for Christmas.

HTown, don't be too comfortable with them. I've been feeding the ones in our yard off and on for awhile, but I never get too close to them. No matter how "familiar" you may be with them, they still have an instinctive distrust for people and they have the potential to be dangerous. Most people don't like them because they've had bad experiences with them, just like many other types of wildlife that invade or wreak some form of destruction on their property, and that's completely understandable. They can also be aggressive towards pets. I made a point of mentioning to my neighbors that there were raccoons active in our area. If you get to feeding them and slack off, they could move on to another property where they're not as welcome and that could have negative consequences for the neighbor, the raccoon or both. I'm not saying don't feed or enjoy them, but make sure you educate yourself on them before you get into it on a regular or semi-regular basis. Make sure there are no means for them to access your house including the roof and chimney, because once they know where the food is coming from they could try to find an easier way to get to it. It's best not to leave food for them near your house for this reason. One of the first things I did when I knew how much they came around was make sure they couldn't get on our roof from any trees, the area around our deck was sealed, and our chimney cap was secure. I added chicken(Actually smaller gapped fencing than chicken wire) wire around the opening to ensure there was no access.(Something I was going to do anyway to deter the birds that ended up in our living room.) This link I found can cover it a little more indepth. These are just tips, but they can be helpful. Feeding Tips I guess my message is it's fine to enjoy them, but make sure you know what you're getting yourself in for, as there are a few things to consider. :-)

You are not going to believe what Jo sent me for the Thanksgiving swap. I have been crying since Thursday evening. I'm having a tough time trying to tell you about it. I have never been so overwhelmed with a gift in my life. Here's the first picture: From left to right: My gift that will make you all wish Jo was your partner, is the ladybug beanbag pillow and comfy red fleece blanket. I will bask in Jo's friendship everytime I use these, and she made them with her own hands, too! In front of the pillow are embellishments for my Brian scrapbook, as are the beaded trims and ribbons you see in the picture. Jo knows I sew and sent a cool tape measure and beautiful sewing themed stationary set that says "Memories are souvenirs our hearts collect throughout the years." How true. The bag you see is a Brian R. dahlia (my very first dahlia and so special!) A set of three wrapped soaps to pamper myself and 4 mini pumpkin candles that smell heavenly. She also sent me more decorations for my Thanksgiving table, the glittery pumpkin you see, the golden candle that is too pretty to light (but smells sooooo heavenly), a large floral arrangement (not in picture) of burgundy mums in a pot with a big bow. The adorable birdhouse you see will have a special spot on my spring table. See the scarecrow and turkey? SHE MADE THEM!! Out of colored clay. They are so tiny and detailed, a tribute to her talents. I'm amazed. Jo also made the stunning vase you see. I cant' tell you how impressed I am with her abilities and creative talents. The vase will go in my meditation room, it's perfect. She sent me a voodoo lily bulb as the Doesn't smell good item. That made me smile. The bulb itself smells okay, let's see what happens in the spring. Jo didn't forget Walt (Reece's peanut butter cups) or Maizie (bag of biscuits). There were two things Jo included in her package that have had me crying for two days. I emailed her a thank you but it feels so insufficient. I've tried to call her but have started crying each time and hung up. Jo wrote a beautiful poem (it's in the frame) entitled, In Memory of Brian. I feel like she looked directly into my heart and put into words what I can't express. I was speechless after reading it. It's on my dresser now. She also arranged for a spring delivery of a plant I've tried to acquire for 2 years, a miniature rose named Brian Lee. I don't know how she did it, I'm just weak from her generosity of heart. Again, let me express how amazing this package was, like it was packed by angels. I think this is the most awesome package ever sent in any of our swaps up to this moment. Dianne/dian57