Talli the Wonder Bird
June 22nd 2007 06:36
Smile for the camera....
Few times in my life have I met an animal as amazing as Talli. If you have been reading along then Im sorry to repeat some parts of the story, but I think its essential to impart upon you all the absolute wonder and courageous spirit of this little bird.
Ok, now Im smilin!
These pics were captured by the lovely Kman a few nights ago when Talli decided with no explanation, to stand on my hand. It is rather strange when a duck behaves like a parrot....
As I have mentioned previously Talli was a duckling when we rescued her. What I havnt mentioned is that my whole life, I have held black ducks in the highest regard, and always said, "I want one!" How I was going to get one I had no idea, but I was quite adamant that if I was again in my life to own ducks, it would be black ducks. When we saw Gwen knocking on doors with three babies huddling beneath her, I never imagined my adventure with black ducks had only just begun. As hard as I tried to keep all 3 babies, Talli was the only one who survived. Having just read 'The Mists of Avalon" by Marion Zimmer Bradley, and believing wholeheartedly that names make the difference, Gwen Recieved the name "Gwynyfar" as she seemed rather empty headed and silly, and Talli became "Taliesan" the name of the man who the Merlins soul is reincarnated into. As far as powerful and lucky names go, I figured you couldnt get better than that! Mum said "but what if its a girl?" I said, "well, Talli then"
For years Gwen and Talli were kept in a pen with a divider, because mum was afraid of them breeding. After some heavy handed persuasion from me (how do you KNOW the sex if you dont ever let them in together?) they went in together and were proven to be girls! Mother and daughter lived happily for years. I thought I was done for ducks. I pondered aloud occassionaly and made tentative enquiries into Mallard drakes, as I DID want to breed more. One day.
The universe heard my prayers and well, next thing you know I had a new duck....
sweet Poshe, nearly adult
I was quite certain at first, having been delivered a funny looking lump of greyish feathers with a red tip on the beak, that it was no duck, but a goose. I raised Poshe diligently and was delighted to see the beauty of a wood duck up close - compared to Tallis breed Id always found them a bit ugly. Poshes beauty continued to amaze me as he grew, and I wondered - could he breed with a black duck? what sort of wonderful babies would they have?
I was never to find out as dear Poshe was soon taken from me, and in quick succession, Gwynyfar. In respect to her beauty and good sense I had changed her name to 'Gwyndylyr Gwynyfar' last year, naming her for a witch from 'The Wayfarer Redemption' by Sarah Douglass.
The only thing I can say for certain is that for sure, the universe hears me. I wanted to breed black ducks. It took a bit for the guys upstairs to get it right, and theyve hurt me in the process, but Id say they have it right now....
"Im Talkin to you!"
Because all Talli and Wist ever talk about is the babies theyre going to have together! Now at this point Talli the wonder bird is up to FOUR surgeries, and shes still going stronger than ever! As a young duck she was extremely tame, but a few years out with Gwen and she was back to being a duck. Now? Now as you can see, she sits on my hand like a parrot. She stands on my hand as if its an elevator to be lifted into or out of her cage. She answers me every time I speak. The top pics show the side where the wing was amputated and the only tell tale sign its not there is the coloured feathers are missing. She had her final vet visit the other night for stitches out and isnt she the nurses little darling? Everyone comes in to cuddle and say "woop oop" to the duck supermodel, to be graced by a duck hug. Just watch she doesnt grab your earring or lip....PAINFUL!! Last weekend she had her first after surgery swim....*gulp* her oil gland wasnt properly active and she SANK and had to be rescued....I pulled out poor wet shivering duck and sat in front of the fire with her for a few hours...She had a ball playing with the cats.
It is so hard to impress upon a page the character and energy of this duck. No body can quite believe it until they see it - her cheekyness, the games she plays and her zest for life. Her connection with the humans who love her and the abundance of her strength and love. Four surgeries, one wing down, mother lost to savage dogs, and she just keeps on going with even more zest and love and life than before.
Thankyou everyone for your prayers. Im sure my Talli is greatful and owes you all a sweet duck hug....
May Talli and her attitude towards life be a lesson for us all. She is certainly an inspiration to me.
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Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
You go from strength to strength, mystery to mystery.
Keep going my love. You're so rare.
katyzzz
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Would you believe, thats not the first time Ive heard that!
Youre pretty rare yourself lovely....
Comment by Wendi
*hugs*
W
Comment by Anonymous
Raven
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
In the show pics that was a horrendos blonde experiment....This is my favourite colour, feria 'mystic black' which is not quite true black, mixed with red brown and purple. And yes winter does suit me! Also in the show pics I was incredibly drained....Im tired here but its nothing like The Auzzie Champs!
Thankyou Wendi. You know youre gorgeous too....Talli is a duck supermodel and Najara is just starting to look really beautiful.
Kman always manages to take good pics of me...The only one who can. Imagine that eh?
Raven,
LOL thanks! Wait till you hear a horse one!
Comment by Nickoftime's Sanity Corner
see you keep all your ducks in a row....LOL...what great story and even better pics...
Take care and love to your duckies!
Nick
Comment by Ash
Flashes of memories
Love the Duck Tales... when I go and visit my bruv in Sydney next time I will have to come by and see all these wonderful friends you have. Go the ducks! I thought of you all this morning when I was feeding my ducks. I will have to take some more pics - maybe there are some long lost rellies out my backyard
Great pics of the family K...
Random but your wooden cabinet looks great too!
ash
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Thanks Darlin, I'll pass it on! Wists in desperate need of a man to man chat....He wants to breed her but doesnt know what to do!
Ash,
I'll hold you to that! My babies would love to meet you too! And that cabnet is nowhere near set up! Its usually full of Magnus' ribbons, tropheys and show pics! You should see it!
Comment by Wendi
Running with the hair color theme here, slightly off topic, but... *shrugs*
Am going to color my hair next week... it's been a light strawberry blonde lately, which is groovy and all, but I'm thinking of going back to more of a ruby red, like it was before I came to Kentucky. I could use the fire....
*smiles*
... but I do love your current look. You look wonderful.
W
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
I remember being in traffic passing the NGV in Melbourne, St. Kilda Parade, if you don't know is a big busy boulevarde, anyhoo, suddenly before me, on the grass verge I see mummy duck and about six maybe eight babies huddling around her. This road is about six lanes, divider island in the middle iand trams run down its center...BOTH ways!!
However, to give them credit, our southern neighbours are duck savvy on this road. Every major change of season, Mrs. Duck and kids travel from one park's pond to the other, some distance too, right in the middle of a big city.
So I jammed my breaks, then noticed others not doing so, coming the other way, so I flashed my lights, didn't use the horn unless I scared the ducks, and then got out and became a "lollipop" type person, for ducks!
Then, to my amazement, all the traffic came to a crashing halt, and others on the other side of the huge road took over!
Mrs. Duck and kids made it across once again safely and every human breathed a sigh of relief!
Funny isn't it? How such an event can actually drag people out of their cocoon and show that they still possess a scintilla of decency and regard for our animal friends.
By the way, love your site, and poetry too, and thanks for the nice comment of support on Katyzzz's site
Keep on duckin!!!
regards
fog
P.S. I have, as I write, a 13 year old pug snoring between my feet! She is actually my old mum's pug dog, but when we all moved in together, Stella adopted me as her puppy! Well, to her I must look like the most grotesque, bald (body fur that is) and ugly puppy she has ever seen, but, none the less, she thinks I'm just fine...except when I stay up too late on the pooter, then she stands at 'our' bedroom door and woofs, every few seconds, until I come and lift her into bed! Yes, she sleeps with me, because that is how she started out in life with my mum when they lived in Sydney. I got used to the snoring...and I suppose she got used to mine!! hehe!
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Great to meet another animal lover! I LOVED your story! Im having some internet issues right now so my time is very limited but I promise I will come check out your blog as soon as I can!
I love hearing stories where people come out of their little comfort zones to help out the animal kingdom...Just magical!
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Im so sorry I never noticed your comment up there....Thanks heaps for your love.....Wist is all grown now, I'll get something up of him.
I brought up a log full of slugs for them today. Major duck fun! They also got new straw cushions and being winter they get hot water bottles before I go to bed.