On Boxing Day, we were eating dinner when one happened to land on our balcony. The first few minutes we just admired our surprise visitor. We discussed whether it would fly off as soon as one of us got up from the table to get some bread. Surely it would be startled by us opening the sliding door and take off. Finally we decided to go for it (this time camera in hand of course).
Brad broke the bread (guess he thought the cockatoo would offer it's own blessing) and threw little chunks out the door. Right away our feathered friend jumped down and grabbed a few pieces. The hopped back on the railing seven stories up to eat on one foot (talented birds).
Within a few short minutes, we had fourteen cockatoos on our balcony. We never heard them make a noise that would signal for others to come join the feast. But soon there wasn't room to land.
We gradually grew more brave as we could tell they weren't afraid of us. We stepped out onto the balcony with them where Brad and Alan both fed the birds by hand while I captured as many Kodak moments as I could.
We've since been told that we've created a massive problem for ourselves by feeding these birds. They've returned several times now and we've started keeping an extra loaf of bread on hand. We enjoy feeding them and are glad to do it. So I suppose it's only a problem if we're not home. Apparently they get mad when left unfed and get even by damaging property. One of the naughty birds chewed through the wire on our icicle lights while we were feeding them. We don't have a whole lot on our balcony but it would be a tragedy if they ruined our screen door. Screen doors are not very common in Australia (not non-existent just not a must for most homes). We've got three sliding doors and only one has a screen (extremely lucky compared to our other American friends in our building who don't have any screens). Most people here leave their windows wide open and don't seem to mind letting flies and so forth in. Can you say "Heebie Jeebies"! At any rate, now we usually leave a piece outside. I looked out and saw two sitting on the balcony eating as I typed about them. So I probably should grab another piece of bread for them when I finish.
Given how much Alan enjoyed feeding the birds, we decided to take him to Symbio where you can "pat" koalas and feed the "roos". When we first entered there was a beautiful peacock in all his glory with feathers spread for all to see. I had Brad stand a few feet behind to show how high the feathers reached. I also wanted to show a picture from behind because it was rather pretty as well.
Again on this outing, he showed no fear of the animals. He laughed at the deer that stuck his head through the fence to grab his sippy out of the diaper bag when I got too close and wasn't paying attention. Next thing I know Brad is saying "Hey!" It seemed funny that the deer were fenced in but the kangaroos are roaming free. I suppose the deer were rather naughty.
He was very serious when it was his turn to "pat" Barry the koala and was very gentle. Have you ever heard a koala? I hadn't till today but let me show you how funny they sound. Kudos to me for getting that on video!
He loved feeding the kangaroos and couldn't get enough of it. The kangaroos come right up to you if they see the little white roo food bag. First daddy shows him how to do it. "Hold your hand like this". Then he takes a turn at feeding and finally goes in for the gratuitous "pat". So sweet!
We found a baby joey for our little buddy to feed and pet. There was even a momma kangaroo that let me feed the joey in her pouch.
Such a fun age! It reminds me of pictures my parents have of me feeding deer at Wisconsin Dells when I was just a little girl. Not sure if he'll remember but the pictures will serve as a reminder for years to come.
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