Early morning Photo Shoot (Macaw Version)

[JerseyWendy]

In an attempt to take some decent photos for a new signature, I kind of went a little crazy with the camera early this morning. Out of the 50+ photos I took, these are the ones that I feel are worth sharing of my big macs.

I will probably have to do this over 2 post lengths, as there are quite a few here. :54:

Niko & Ripley together


AAAH...that's the spot


I kneeled down to take this shot, and Ripley promptly twisted his head around.




Heeeere comes Ripley :32:
http://s82.photobucket.com/user/JerseyWendy/media/NikoampRipley1.jpg.html





...to be continued....

 

[JerseyWendy]

Just the Ripley







And just my Niko

 

[riddick07]

Aww! I love the one with you kneeling and him going whatcha doin?

The shelter wants us to socialize like 5 of the big macs she has and I'm super excited! All the fun with none of the work! (well unless they decide they want my finger as a keepsake or she puts me to work cleaning their cages...)

 

[thekarens]

Macs...my all time favorite. If I had the time, space and money...instead I'll enjoy your two gorgeous ones!

 

[Kiwibird]

They both look SO soft and velvety. They really are a beautiful pair of macaws. I love the pics of them kissing on and preening each other. How old are they?

 

[labell]

Wow, what beauties!! So shiny and well cared for. Love big Mac's, greenwings especially!

 

[JerseyWendy]

They both look SO soft and velvety. They really are a beautiful pair of macaws. I love the pics of them kissing on and preening each other. How old are they?

Niko turned 4 in October, and Ripley will be 3 in June.

I am SO fortunate that they get along so well. They play rough, I won't lie, but they never hurt each other. In the beginning there was the occasional tail tugging, but nothing more than that.

Ripley is currently going through a major molt, and I just love that he lets Niko service him like that.

 

[MomtoPercy]

Sigh....they are so gorgeous!! I'm on looove!!

 

[jenphilly]

I like the same on of Ripley asking whatcha doing on the floor...,

such beautiful babies!! No doubt momma loves them!

 

[Allee]

Wow!! Thank you for sharing photos of your magnificent Macs. You have a wonderful flock. Do they all like each other?

 

[Allee]

Sorry, my question was asked and answered. It's great that they get along.

 

[Terry57]

They are so gorgeous! The pic of Ripley with his wings completely spread took my breath away!!!

 

[JerseyWendy]

Wow!! Thank you for sharing photos of your magnificent Macs. You have a wonderful flock. Do they all like each other?

Well the Amazons like each other and get to spend time together, and so do the big macs. Niko isn't too crazy about the Amazons, and I don't let them near each other out of fear of one of the zons losing a limb (or worse).

I've had an incident not all that long ago, where Ripley decided to taste test some of the chop I had made in the morning. They are all out while I do cage cleanings. The macs are on the Java trees, while the Amazons hang out on the kitchen counter. Well, that particular morning Ripley hopped on over to the counter to get some chop mix. I was on my hands and knees in the next room scrubbing grates, had my back to them when I heard Sam making a bunch of ruckus. I turned around and saw Sam lunging at Ripley. He wasn't about to give up a single leaf in the chop mix. Ripley is a giant next to Sam, and just as I frantically tried to get up and get on over there, Ripley grabbed Sam's foot, lifted him up by it and threw him in the air. I was screaming, Sam was screaming, and Ripley just grabbed some food and flew back to his tree. I thought for sure Sam was going to be maimed. NOTHING. Not a single scratch on him. His foot was perfectly fine, not even warm. It scared the living <you know what> out of me though.


Thank you all so much for your kind and sweet comments.

 

[getwozzy]

Wow!!! Niko and Ripley are just GORGEOUS!!! Their feathers shine and glisten!

I love the picture where Ripley's looking at you -hey! Whatchya doin?! Hahha

 

[Birdman666]

They both look SO soft and velvety. They really are a beautiful pair of macaws. I love the pics of them kissing on and preening each other. How old are they?

That's beak wrestling... SO NOT kissing. It's a macaw contact sport.

They play rough... but it's entirely normal.

 

[Birdman666]

I like the same on of Ripley asking whatcha doing on the floor...,

such beautiful babies!! No doubt momma loves them!

That one reminds me soooo much of Maggie.

Sarah and Maggie are always doing head upside down aerobic exercises when they play...

 

[JerseyWendy]

I should tell you all that Ripley was a stinker on Saturday morning.

I had just removed all the blankets from the cages, had my coffee cup in my left hand, and reached into Ripley's cage to give him a head scratch with my right hand. All was going well until the husband showed up behind me. Ripley is not too fond of him. So what did he do? He decided to taste test my right index finger. It was like slow-mo, and there was nothing I could do as his pressure increased...increased...I felt my flesh pop....saw the blood dripping from his beak...and then he let go.

Nothing a couple of butterfly stitches can't fix. :32:



That's the top of the same finger, where his upper beak was holding on with. :54:

 

[TessieB]

What beautiful colors! Your house must be filled with color and sound! Neato!

 

[Chesphoto]

Thanks for sharing the photos. I love the one of Ripley in flight.

 

[Anansi]

Wendy, your macaws are breathtaking! You can see in the lustrous shine of their plumage that they are VERY well cared for and that they have a healthy diet. You're quite the parront. And my favorite pics are easily the ones of Ripley flying!!! Wow!

Ouch on the finger shot! That must've hurt! Considering the size of his beak, though, you can take some solace in the thought that he apparently showed at least some restraint. (That's just a whole LOT of beak! Lol!)