Christmas Bells

Christmas Bells
Christmas Bells - Blandfordia nobilis

Friday, August 04, 2006

The Nature of "Inside Cats"

"Sung" - the dynastic cat.
My friend George, of Lower Ranelagh, is the first person I have known who has successfully trained his cats to adjust to life totally inside a house.

This is such a success that George also has the most wonderful collection of wild birds which come to visit his feeding table, and water bowls. His feeders and water bowls are close to the adjacent garden, where the birds can seek protection, and natural food, and even nest making materials, or display areas (for the Bowerbirds).
"Clyde" - the friendliest cat
it has ever been my pleasure to know.


I love going
around to George's place, and sitting in the kitchen and watching the steady stream of birds, coming in to the feeder table. They come to the feeder just outside the glass doors - in full view of people inside the kitchen - in my case, having some of George's finest coffee.


My particular favourites are the Wonga Pigeons. They like to walk in, along the paved courtyard, and pick at seeds spilled by the more aggressive parrots. Or else, they make their way laboriously along through the garden, and then jump up on a sculpture-adorned bird bath, to get a drink.

Sometimes, if they are feeling a bit shy, and wish to avoid attention, they even climb up a long flight of rock steps, and walk back down to the feed table, through the heavy cover provided by the dense Azaleas.

The King Parrots, both male and females, are the top of the line, amongst the parrots. They claim priority at the feeder, over Crimson Rosellas.






Although, sometimes, a bold Rosella will sneak in as quietly as it can, beside a King Parrot.

The Parrots all claim priority over the Satin Bowerbirds, even though these birds often outnumber the parrots. They sit patiently on perches and small garden plants, waiting for their chance to visit the feeder.

The Pied Currawongs are the most dominant birds which visit George's feeder. It is not surprising, as few birds (or people) would argue with those guys, with their huge beaks, and bright (scary) yellow eyes.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I'm very impressed by George's commitment to responsible cat ownership. Well done George !!! You are in a minority group, and should feel proud of your achievement to intergrate your pet ownership with the Australian natural environment. This is indeed a good news story.

Responsible cat ownership will not become any where the 'norm' until Councils adopt rules for cat ownership as it does dog ownership. But, it needs to go beyond that, as does dog ownership. It is unlikely to happen in my lifetime.

The king parrots are fabulous, as are the wonga pigeons. I have only seen wonga pigeons once before, as far as I can recall. Pigeons are amusing birds to watch at length. I have always rather disliked currawongs, thieving sods, (smiling here), but recently I took the time to really watch them, and enjoyed my observations very much.

Regards
Gaye