David, Karen, Luis, Leslie, Lynda

Board members Leslie Wieser and Lynda Rettew, David Rettew, and I recently returned from an eco-tour to several lodges in and around the Pantanal of Brazil. Words truly cannot describe what we saw and experienced. These photos are just a taste of all we encountered. Our thanks to Phoenix Landing and Dr. Frank Rutowski for organizing the trip.

Each time I return from such an adventure, my sadness for these sweet creatures in our homes and cages is renewed. Living in the wild is very difficult given what man is doing to their habitat. But when you see conservation programs in place and succeeding, it emphasizes what we have taken away and cannot provide or duplicate for our parrots. Flight is what they are meant for and once you see it, your life is changed forever.

Wild Baby Blue and Gold Macaw

There are SO many wonderful stories to tell, and hardly enough space to even begin to touch on all of our experiences. But I would like to share a moment that touched me more deeply than all I have seen of parrots in the wild. Our guide, Luis, took us deep into a cattle pasture where a known nest cavity of breeding Hyacinth Macaws was in use. When we arrived, Mom, Dad and one year old Junior were on a limb outside the cavity. Junior was above them on a separate limb. He started calling for his mom. She flew up to him and started preening, mock feeding, and generally fussing over him. Shortly Dad called her back down where they had a brief squabble, made up and then took flight with Junior tagging along. In my mind I heard him saying "You have to quit coddling that child. We will soon have another on the way and it's time for him to fend for himself!"

Wild Hyacinth Macaw

Just imagine what Junior has learned in his first year. According to Luis,this chick didn't fledge until around nine months. For the last three to four months he has learned to find food, recognize threats, and to communicate with others of his species. He's currently witnessing Mom and Dad's courtship and he'll soon witness mating, egg laying, hatching and the beginning of life for his sibling. Junior will no longer be allowed in the cavity and will eventually be made to join other juveniles to begin life on his own. We witnessed our "Sex & the Single Bird" class, covered in five short minutes of observation.

We hope to offer a travelogue of our experiences soon. The date will be announced on Facebook and by email and we hope you'll join us to see the beauty of all the creatures of Brazil!