How A Scruffy Magpie Saved A Family.

Our story is deeply painful to share, but it is also beautiful and true. Just know that when I tell you about the tears, the anger and the longing, I am also talking about love. We have laughed till we cried and we have wept ourselves to sleep, for that is the nature of love. Love hurts. Love heals. Photograph: Cameron Bloom.

Our story is deeply painful to share, but it is also beautiful and true. Just know that when I tell you about the tears, the anger and the longing, I am also talking about love. We have laughed till we cried and we have wept ourselves to sleep, for that is the nature of love. Love hurts. Love heals.
Photograph: Cameron Bloom.

Here’s a story to warm your heart and start your day on a lovely note, or end your evening that way. Thanks to Lofty for sending this our way.

Penguin Bloom is the story of an Australian family who rescued a ‘a tiny, scruffy, injured’ magpie chick they called Penguin. In caring for the newest member of their family, the Blooms – including mother Sam, who was herself coming to terms with paralysis after an accident – found that Penguin helped them to heal emotionally. Their story went viral on Instagram and has now been turned into a book, royalties from which will go to Spinal Cure Australia and Wings For Life in the UK.

You can read and see all the images at The Guardian.

Turkeys, Studio Side.

Our current wild turkey guests were on the studio side yesterday, on the neighbouring house’s roof, and running, playing, chasing each other for a while. These are more back to my usual bad turkey photos, but I was awkwardly hanging out my studio window, with them dodging behind trees, before they decided to calm down, groom a bit, then head back over to the front deck of our place. Click for full size.

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© C. Ford.

Turkeys On Deck, Eeeeeee!

I should say Her Majesty on Deck. The wild turkeys were back, and this time, found a deck full of food. The Matriarch was the only one who stayed on the deck, and not just stayed, she owned that deck. The squirrels were upset, but wisely ran away, and the smaller birds stayed high in the trees. One Blue Jay tried screaming, but soon found that to be no use. I’m still feeling a bit light-headed and in awe of being allowed the privilege of such closeness, because the Matriarch made it very clear she was aware of me. Oh man, giddy. I’m giddy. Click for full size! ETA: Just got a bunch more shots. More tomorrow.

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© C. Ford.