Friends From New Zealand

Day 257: Friends from New Zealand are staying with me. Two of them will start the journey home on Monday, but these two will be joining my family. The one on the left is a Kakapo, a nocturnal parrot which cannot fly. In nature, they are critically endangered, and the few remaining birds are confined to predator-free islands. The one on the right is the iconic Fantail, a hoppy, happy, chirpy New Zealand native. Oh, the other two? You want to know about the other two? That would be Rob and his dad! Rob and I have been internet friends for something like 15 years, and this is the first time we've met in person. They've been on a 'round-the-world whirl, and this is their last stop before catching a flight out of Los Angeles. Even though they've been travelling for almost a month, they have not seen the one thing they most wanted to see: the stars of the northern hemisphere. With any luck, we'll have clear skies Saturday or Sunday night, and if the clouds disappear, they may even be able to see the elusive Mountain.

Merry Christmas From The Bird House!

Day 73: They're out! And they'd like to wish you all the best for the holiday season. For most of the year, my bird collection resides on shelves and in an enormous tin, safe from the predations of pussycats and protected from dust fallout. For a few days in December, they emerge to occupy furniture and floor space and are generally allowed to remain until Skunk or Tip gets a little too interested and drags somebody off. I hate to admit that only a few of them have names, but each one is loved and petted as they are put in place. So, without further ado, I will speak on their behalf and wish you the merriest of Christmases and a happy New Year!