National Cage bird Show in Dallas and my Awesome week

[angelwingsaviary]

Hey everyone:

I miss the board and all the members. I haven't written any posts for a while, so bear with me, I have a lot to say.

This month has been one of those. Eventhough, everything revolves around ONE week. My best week in years. So let me explain:

Breeding season has started in my aviary. That is always busy and a lot of work. 40 breeding pairs have to be paired and set up. Eggs, babies, feed, clean, and such... And right in the middle of the breeding season, I hear about all the wonders of the National Cage Bird show which this year was held in Dallas and I decide to break all the fear patterns and get serious about "Competitions". Yes, we have a very serious crowd here in Atlanta area, mostly dear friends, who breed the best for the championship title.

So, I traveled to Dallas, mostly to learn, see, hear, and be a part of something wonderful. What can I say, I've gotten bitten by the show bug.

It was a great experience. Seeing all those amazing birds, from all species of canaries to finches and softbills to parrots of big and small. Birds of all around the world, some of which I had never seen....ahhhh...better than going to Disney Land.

So, what a girl to do, if she is in the dreamland and surronded by all the dream birds....hmmmm...yup....SHOPPING....

I came back with birds and birds and birds and life was good.

Everything got even better that week, when the 1st day back my dear guest made her way to Atlanta and in the middle of the worst storm of the year, we got winds of Australia at our door step. YES...TIKI WAS HERE....

We had a great but very short visit, but the memory remains. She is one of those rare people that you always feel priviledged to meet, and think about for years to come.

Such a perfect ending, for a such a perfect week.

Here the story of my Wonderful week ends. I hope and wish the similar experience for each and every one of you.

Chista

[The Outlaw]

Chista:

Tara was delighted to meet you as well. Spoke very highly of you. I'm very happy that you had so much fun. Your birds are certainly beautiful. I'm wondering how well you think your birds would have stacked up against the ones in Texas?

[Tiki]

Chista, it was a real pleasure to meet you too! I just wish the storm hadn't slowed me down so much it made me late and we could have spent more time together. Here's a few pics of us and your birds. Your Gouldian finches are so cute! BTW, that small cage is just a travel cage, their permanent homes are quite roomy but they will be quarantined first.

Chista is president of the Georgia Finch Society, and she has said that she will be happy to help anyone who has finch questions.

[angelwingsaviary]

Thank you very much Tiki and Outlaw. I will treasure the memory of Tiki's visit. I wish I could expect another visit from her. As I said, you never know, I might be stopping at her door step.

All the birds I brought back from Dallas are doing great. They are still in quarantine, but 2 pairs have mated and are laying eggs.


Outlaw, the answer to your question, I had this big fear/phobia of entering for competitions. The thought of having to pick a bird or two out of hundred and making the right decision, then train the birds for weeks, ...compete and being compared, and then...worst...not measuring up...

It is a very scary feeling which was stopping me for any seriouse attempt. Then I went to Dallas, which was the first Nationals I was going to, to learn and participate in the process. My fears all were melted and gone.

Now, I saw the birds that were entered and am confident that I can choose and bring the right bird to compete. Most of all, I learned that,...It's okay to loose.... And that, The worst decision that I can make throughout the competition is the decision of NOT entering.

I have beautiful birds that I am proud of. Whether I win or loose, my birds will remain so in my heart. Nothing can change that. So, the answer to your question, "Do my birds measure up?". In my heart, and in my eyes, I know they do. Can they win? ...I don't know, but atleast I'm willing to find out.

The next Regional show is in 3 months. Plenty of time to train my babies. So, pray for me, so I can keep my courage...

[angelwingsaviary]

Here are the pictures of some the birds from Dallas. They all are winners.