Meet the Flockers

These babies are at the Idaho Humane Society. $25 each

Bill and his buddy George came in as owner surrenders due to them no longer being able to care for them. They are a best friends and must be adopted out together. They enjoy munching on fresh fruits, pellets, and seeds.

This is Jupiter, my daughter’s harlequin crested gecko. She has tiny spikes that resemble eyelashes, and make her look adorable!

They don’t have eyelids so when they need to clean their eyes they use their long tongues.

They have millions of microscopic hairs on their toes that help them stick to just about any surface.

They are nocturnal so she eats and is most active at night. But, she’s a very sweet girl during the day too- and an excellent jumper!

Cresties eat a powdered meal mix that is creamy in texture and typically smells fruity. Along with crickets and other similar insects. Occasionally they can have fresh fruit like mango, banana, or watermelon (Some of the same things we feed our birds 😉)

Did you know they offer humans health benefits such as stress reduction, companionship & mindfulness? Caring for them establishes a calming, grounding routine.

What other pets do you all have in your homes?

When my kids were babies, I belonged to several mom groups, and one topic that came up over and over again was feeding.

Some believed that if you weren't breastfeeding, you were doing it all wrong and potentially harming your child.

But the support I appreciated most came from the moms who lived by the motto: "Fed is best."

Their point wasn't to dismiss the benefits of breastfeeding. Rather, it was a reminder that every family has different circumstances, and there are countless reasons why a mother may be unable to breastfeed. What mattered most was that the baby was loved, cared for, and had a full tummy.

Full transparency I wasn’t able to breastfeed but I was able to pump. The picture below shows my middle son being very supportive and “pumping” along with me with his shin guards 😜

I find myself thinking about that season of life often, especially when it comes to the birds in our lives.

Are there certain foods that offer more nutritional benefits than others? Absolutely. We should always strive to learn and do the best we can for our birds.

But at the end of the day, is your bird loved? Is it cared for? Are you doing your best with the knowledge and resources you have? Then you're already doing something right.

We all have areas where we can improve. Instead of tearing someone down because their approach to bird care looks different than yours, offer a kind suggestion. Be supportive. Encourage. Educate without judgment. Lead by example.

And remember: just because someone is doing things differently doesn't automatically mean they're doing them wrong.

Let's build a bird community that lifts people up, not one that scares them away.

Recently I had the opportunity to visit the Living Planet Aquarium in Utah, and if you haven’t been, I would absolutely recommend it!

The aviary was beautiful and such a peaceful experience. I’m not sure what the smaller bird species was, but he was absolutely gorgeous! And of course, the Toucans were a favorite- they are so striking and full of personality.

That said, seeing Toucans also reminds me of the darker side of the exotic pet trade. Personally, I do not believe Toucans should be kept as domestic pets. Unfortunately, many are taken from the wild and sold through illegal black market trade, which often includes terrible mistreatment and suffering.

It was amazing to appreciate these birds in a setting focused education and conservation while also reflecting on the importance of protecting them in the wild 💚

Friday evening Ms. Bexley joined us. She’s a beautiful Pineapple Green Cheeked Conure 💛

Bella’s favorite isle…the lights 😉
Lowe's Home Improvement

Hormone season is in FULL bloom. Our not-so-little guy Rio, who we thought was a dude, just laid not one but two eggs. Guess we were totally wrong about that whole boy thing. Don't worry, no chicks are coming, the eggs aren't fertile. Rio's getting some extra calcium this week to recover from the egg-stravaganza. Hoping to cruise through this quickly 🤞

This girl is not coming inside without an argument…Zoey is a sunshine girl!

&Gold

Zoey enjoys a warm winter day 😊