a birdy-full day

The sun gods were smiling on Belgium today and delivered the MOST perfect of October days .... clear blue skies, 20+ celsius, and calm. We pick-nicked in the park and stopped to snap a few pics of birdies along the way --included a few here your birding pleasure ...

a few migrants .... known as Brandgans, or Barnacle geese

Nijlgans, or Egyptian geese with chickies!

sweet little kuifeend, or tufted duck

2 black swans?????? You don't even have to go to the zoo!

Fuut, or great crested grebe parent + 1 super COOL chick

Sitting quietly on the edge of the pond, a patient-waiting Ijsvogel, or Kingfisher

I never tire of their splendid irridescent green plumage - it's absolutely captivating!

Squint and you'll see the tiny fish in its beak ...

and what's hiding behind the Nijlgans? Why, a casarca! Or ruddy shellduck ----- another escapee, no doubt, but never mind. I'm grateful to witness this lovely goose anywhere, anytime:)

maggie be free

After a week in rehab, we took maggie to the park and set her free. It was great to see her fly away when we opened the cage! Thijs was teary-eyed, but the rest of us were relieved and happy to see her back in her element. A few days later, she was spotted in another area of the park, so at least we knew she survived the first few days. We witnessed her being attacked by 2 magpies within 20 mins. of being released, so we worried a bit. Magpies can be quite aggressive, but obviously she's learning how to fend for herself. Been a great learning experience for the kids, and NOW they seem to see magpies EVERYWHERE!

maggie

Maggie is the newest member to join the household. My friend Allison rescued her as she was being attacked by a cat, which you can see by the lack of head feathers. Together we're trying to rehabilitate her. I call it "her" without knowing the sex just because it looks like a girl to me, for some reason, but with my luck it's a boy. Doesn't matter, really, since we'll be releasing it in a few weeks (hopefully she'll be good to go!), and then she'll/he'll be back with mates in the wild. What a beautiful bird she is!

lulu's collecting habits

Alex got a pet rat (LULU) this summer, and without a doubt she's been the most entertaining pet we've ever had. The second she's set "free", she begins collecting things. And these are just a few of the things we've come across lately when cleaning out her nest in the corner under a bunch of folded up curtain.
paper
and more paper
and more paper!
3 garlic bulbs
pin cushion, with needles in it
wine corks
marbles
more marbles
crayons
chewed off bits of leaves
two tea lights (little candles)
thijs's soccer shorts
alex's ballet top
1 pair of phoebe's underwear
assorted socks
a slice of apple
few cheese blocks