When you ask different Bonsai enthusiasts what bonsai is you are likely to get many answers and philosophies.
Let's clear up one that had confused me for many years.
Bonsai translates as small potted plant. It is often confused with Banzai, the famed Japanese battle cry.
After seeing Banzai spelled Bonsai many times, I truly wondered why Japanese warriors yelled "small potted plant" on their way to death and glory. With this matter cleared up lets go on to the origins of bonsai.
Most enthusiasts will agree that this art started in China where it is called Penjing. This translates as "tray scenery". Chinese style tends to be more relaxed. The pottery can be brighter. Scenes such as mountain and water features can be added.
Japanese Bonsai relies on simplicity of form guided by many complex rules.
Whatever the rules or style, we can all appreciate how amazing a mature bonsai is. Here's the time to salute the folks that brought their prize bonsais to exhibit at the convention. After all, bringing a small but heavy tree growing in a 2 inch deep clay tray that is worth huge money from home to convention, what could possible go wrong? Thankfully they all made it.
Check out this black pine.
Here is a line of prize trees on exhibit. If you look to the far back there is a little girl in red that was dancing to the classical music they were playing.
This tree is a classic "Slanting" style. Notice a partial branch a third the way up. That is part of the rules for this style.
Here is a very nice semi-cascade bonsai. Notice the deep square pot.
This complicated tree uses a technique called "jin" where parts of the bark are deliberatly stripped away and the wood beneath is bleached to give it the appearance of being older than it is.
And here is my favorite part of the convention, the vendors area. These are bonsai azaleas.
Here are all the different tools for sale that are used to style bonsai.
Also available were lots of finished and unfinished bonsai for sale. I bought a few.
A few more bonsai Faq's. Bonsais are real trees carefully clipped and cultivated to be minitures of their wild selves. Most bonsais must be grown outdoors because they are real trees; oaks, elms, maples, junipers etc.
Only a very small number of bonsai trees can be grown indoors.
A bonsai hobbyist can expect to lose 50% of the trees they attempt to bonsai. (Learning that made me feel a whole lot better.)
Thanks for checking out the bonsais.
Hey, that's a big eye there.
It will protect your good lense against bird bites and scratches.
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Keep cool!
Hi Rob, all free time is like Christmas in July :-D
Hi BC, that is a waaay cool video. I'm going to have to practice some of those tricks.
Hi Ylee, if I can someday find a way to permanently bird proof a water source to the cockatoo, I may very well be able to find a perfect island for WUville.
Hi Prose, those are gorgeous azalea blooms. Like the subtle mix of color.
Mind you, I know less than nothing about cockatiels and parrots, but I have heard that they can literally go crazy if left alone for long. Of course, Syd's pretty crazy to begin with, so maybe that isn't an issue?
Some 10-15 years ago I was researching parrot type birds because I wanted a pet that wouldn't die in 8 to 12 years like most dogs.
The bird magazines were touting sulpher crest cockatoos as being very psychologically hardy...They said they don't need as much attention as the broad feathered cockatoos. -
Side Bar; Broad feather cockatoos include Umbrella and Mollucans. These are sweet cuddly birds that quite often go crazy in captivity even if bred in captivity and hand raised. They will start to self mutilate by feather plucking and other self destructive behaviors.
So back to Syd. Yes, sulpher crested cockatoos don't need constant attention. They are clever, resiliant and play well by themselves if given lots of varied toys.
One thing they did not mention back then but some reviews do mention now is that once sexually mature the males can get really really agressive.
To keep him company while we are working he has some finches in a cage next to him. The TV has a timer to turn off and on. He has plush animal toys at the bottom of the cage he likes to beat up. We can call the answering machine and talk to him. For three or four days he should be fine. It's the long vaction where Mr. Boat anchor is going to cost $$$ if we can't find someone brave enough to watch him. So much for a long lived low maintenance pet.
Glad you got some rain; we got enough today to make us wash our vehicles tomorrow! :P
Good luck finding a sitter.
When we were kids Mom brought home a wooley monkey. Cutest little thing you ever saw. Terrible pet. Monkeys belong with other monkeys.
While Syd most of the time is fun to have around, he is a LOT of WORK. The first four and a half years he was a sweet bird that could be cuddled and played with and we did not have to worry about losing an eye or needing stitches. Then came the hormonal madness of maturity. He doesn't get taken out to be played with near as much because it is always a risk for us. Grooming is a two person project; filing nails and beak, showering...yes birds need to bath on a regular basis.
He doesn't seem to mind less physical contact as long as he is in the main room with us to have conversation. Syd is a talker. Don't know half of what he says but he likes chatter back and forth. He enjoys taking things apart. He likes "toys" that can be disassembled.
Having a very intelligent animal like Syd...or Roxie requires paying close attention to their needs and providing for them All The Time.
Once again, Syd really is a low maintenance cockatoo. The broad feathered cockatoos like the one Skye wrote about, they need even more attention.
Bottomline; I think breeding and selling cockatoos for pets is a huge mistake. It is cruel to the birds. Very few people can provide the kind of attention they need over a 50 year or more lifespan of the birds.
I really do like Syd even though he is a lot of work. The problem is, if something happens to both of us who will take Syd? No one else wants to deal with him.
Hope the Bat-cave goes OK and roll on Sunday!
How is your drought tolerant garden growing?
Hope the week at the batcave goes by quickly and smoothly!
Sandi, that's funny. Will have to scour the coast for a young pirate that likes Syd as much as I do.
Hi Calpoppy, think I will take your advice and order from HighCountry for fall planting. The ones I got for early spring are alive but not thriving; dwarf lavender, perky sues, caliroe. The roses and salvia shrubs are super happy though. Also got an iceplant that is going wild :-) It's great when the plant likes the spot it's in.
There are a bunch of bird rescue places but they are so full of un-wanted birds I don't know how everyone gets enough attention. They make it super hard to adopt too. I would have taken a rescue bird some years ago if they would let loose of one that could be worked with. Then again, I think Syd would have ended up a rescue bird so I did get one.
Hey Ylee, yep. outta the gate and off to the batcave. Hope the zoo treats you well.
"The fountain murmuring of sleep,
A drowsy tune;
The flickering green of leaves that keep
The light of June;
Peace, through a slumbering afternoon,
The peace of June.
Arthur Symons
"I can't help but wonder how the World would be,
If like the butterfly and rose we lived in harmony."
Bernard Howe
There is a bird sanctuary in Santa Paula, the Steckel Park Aviary, but I've never been. In fact, I didn't know it was there, really, until the papers started talking about it shutting down. Looks now that it will be saved through volunteers and donations. Apparently, many folks have been visiting the place since childhood and want it saved for their own kids. Anyway, their birds are rescues - those whose one-time owners found out that birds are not really domesticated the way dogs and cats are. Well, birds are dinosaurs, related to T. Rex and velociraptors, so, what can we expect?
Hope you're having a good start to the week. At least bats are mammals ;)
I have admired, even envied bird people I've met over the years. I'd think, what fun! The antics and intelligence of cockatoos and parrots are really something. But I never got one. For the same reason I never had any children. I just didn't want my life to revolve so tightly around one being. And you signed up for a commitment that will last 2-3 times as long as a child, maybe more. That's really something.
I settled on cats because they're pretty independent and low maintenance. Turned out not to be quite as low maintenance as planned, especially as they get older. After our last vacation, when we came home to badly neglected kitties, I was determined to find a better way. Just a couple of days ago, I finally found what I think might be a good pet-sitting solution.
Turns out there's an organization called Pet Sitters International that trains and certifies pet sitters. They've been in business for quite a few years and I actually managed to find a certified pet sitter in my area who is also a licensed veterinary technician. We're not planning a trip right now, but with parents' ages and health what they are, I increasingly feel the need to be ready to head out on short notice. This gives me a little peace of mind about leaving my babies for more than a day or two. Maybe it will work for you, too.
I'm about to finish my last night at the zoo! Double Yay! :)
Are you working today also? I know I have not been around much lately.. have a hard time even getting to my blog as I can.
I have excuses! LOL... love the pictures of the Bonsai's!! I have never tried that...almost afraid to!
Hope all is well in your world.. I really need to find time to catchup with all my WU Friends!!!
Weekend Comments Pictures @ dazzlejunction.com
it is hard for the 9-5 Mon - Fri folks to understand!
And you and I work the same schedule!
Some images from Jubilee Sunday. Two days down and two to go!
Happy Monday to you :)
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