Quaker

Posted by Barbara (Florida, United States) on 29 March 2008 in Animal & Insect and Portfolio.

20 years ago Quaker was found in a parking lot. Obviously someone's pet his clipped wings had just started growing back giving him enough flight to escape.
A month after coming home with me he began to say his name Quaker.
Before that I never considered myself a bird person. Life has never been the same since.
Quaker is a character, a strong personality. His favorite food is chicken, tuna, pasta and eggs, to name a few.
Today was bath day and time to clean his cage. With our pleasant weather Quaker spent his afternoon on the screened patio listening to the birds outdoors.
There are large communities of these Quaker parrots in Florida, and in some Northeast states. They build very large nests usually consisting of 3 rooms, a bird condo.
Also known as Monk Parakeets, in some states they are illegal since they can destroy crops.

Comments (15)

Michael Skorulski from Cigel, Slovakia

Fine detail and fabulous composition. This is excellent.

29 Mar 2008 5:29am

Laurent from Lyon, France

Really nice portrait of Quaker. I like the way you used the deep of field

29 Mar 2008 5:46am

@Laurent: Thank you. Quaker loves cats too like the one in this adorable photo: http://latentation.aminus3.com/

dobbino from Cape Town, South Africa

You have captured the pose really well. There is an amazing amount of detail coming through in such a small image size - are you using a special technique to downsize your images?

29 Mar 2008 6:11am

@dobbino: Very nice comment you have made. No special technique, although sometimes rather than stand fixed and adjust my lens to focus I lean into or back with my body until focused.
After loading I was pleased with how it appears Quaker stuck his head through the DOF into a window of focus. There was no cropping or processing other than the added border. Thank you.

Helma from Tehran, Iran

very nice portrait :) with the best focuss and beauty colors ...... thanks.

29 Mar 2008 10:34am

@Helma: Thank you for your nice comment.

Eleftheria, 9 years old, from Athens, Greece

Super photo!

29 Mar 2008 1:37pm

@Eleftheria, 9 years old,: I know you like animals too. Thank you for commenting.

ally (: from Singapore, Singapore

haha he looks so cute. great focusing btw (:

29 Mar 2008 1:46pm

@ally (:: He has a cute personality too! Thanks Ally.

Ina from Krugersdorp, South Africa

Nice colors, beautiful bird!

29 Mar 2008 2:29pm

Chris from South Jersey, United States

I must say I am not a bird person either, but you have captured this "member of the family" wonderfully. I almost want to reach out and pet his head!! Great colors, textures, and DoF. Well done.

29 Mar 2008 3:15pm

@Chris: Having a bird like Quaker will change your entire perspective of having a bird. He is very sociable.

Nancy Batlemento from Bloomfield Hills, United States

You sure did pick my favorite color!

29 Mar 2008 5:12pm

standley from brou-sur-chantereine, France

Quaker seems to be talking to you! You captured him very well. Fine shot!

29 Mar 2008 7:16pm

@standley: Quaker is always communicating with me. He use to say words and still knows them but he has really bonded with me and taken on a roll of a baby. Thank you for your comment.

Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada

Quaker, you are beautiful...tell him I said so okay Barbara?

30 Mar 2008 10:11am

Eric Rousset from Grasse, France

Superbe MAP, belle photo miss ;-)

30 Mar 2008 3:30pm

Dang from Marietta, United States

He's a cute one, and photographed very well indeed. We always had parakeets (along with dogs) when I was coming up, and they'd talk up a storm. One had the habit of sounding like he was dialing the phone before speaking, and mimicking it's ring before saying "hello". Seems once they start speaking it's hard to shut them up! Lots of company though. I wasn't aware of their nest building habits, or this species were so common in your area. Interesting, thanks for sharing.

3 Apr 2008 9:39am

frederique from Nancy, France

very nice portrait
great shot
(I'm a bird personn ! Actually I have a parrot but few years ago I had two)

6 Feb 2009 3:48pm

Claudia from Illinois, United States

What a beautiful portrait of Quaker! I also love the story of how he came into your life. I'm so glad you found him. Bet you never thought you'd still have him 20 years later. I never considereed myself a bird person before we got our Qauker, Trudy. I was always filled with equal parts fascination and fear when it came to birds. Now I can't imagine my life without her. I never dreamed something that weighs less than a pound could have so much presence and personality! We actually have large communities of quakers living in Chicago--Hyde Park and surrounding suburbs. It's amazing that these bird have learned to adapt to such cold weather climates. Once again...beautiful shot!

12 Jun 2009 1:12am

@Claudia: Thank you so much for your comment on Quaker (the trouble maker) You said the exact words I use to always say "I never considered myself a bird person". I love all animals but never thought having a bird would be as compatible as having a dog or cat. I am not certain about the blue Quakers like Trudy but I have read stories about a flock of green parrots (Quakers) getting loose at JFK airport after being transported from South America. That is how colonies in the northeast started. There was a story about them on PBS. A woman use to walk her dog, either Rottweiller or Doberman or similar dog and the Quakers would terrorize him, he was afraid of them. It is strange how they adapted to cold weather. The large colonies that were common, at least in this area do not seem to be around anymore. Nests that were everywhere are no longer. I do wonder if something was done to remove them from due to their large population. Although one was at my feeder a few days last week. Hopefully a nest is nearby. I really have to chuckle at the similarity in your comments. Enjoy Trudy for years to come.

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ISO 800
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