Bath time is usually on the weekends, especially if the sun is shining, however, this time Elmo wanted a shower! He was standing on the laundry basket, keeping Richard company, but then he started to shiver and shake as he looked at the water falling down into the tub. Elmo was excited!!

So Richard placed him on the dry end of the tub and Elmo, being the silly boy he is, backed into the falling water. He got himself thoroughly wet!

Elmo having a shower

All wet!

Drying off!

Georgie, on the other hand, wasn’t as adventurous. She stuck to having a bog standard bath!

Georgie having a bath

Last night Georgie stayed up late past her bedtime without any problems. Usually, if she’s on the sofa with us after 10pm, Georgie gets very moody and starts to peck us. She doesn’t like the TV on (the flickering light from it) and doesn’t like it if I move about. She basically wants us to go to sleep. So, at 10pm I put Georgie in her cage and cover half with a cloth to prevent the light from the TV disturbing her (her cage is in the living room). Georgie will then fall asleep without any problem and is quite content with this arrangement.

However, last night, Georgie was with us past midnight. She was asleep on me, snuggled up under my chin – her favourite spot! (And I have the scratches to prove it! Georgie likes to scratch about to make her “nest” more comfortable.) I had to stay still so as to not disturb her – and I have to say, a pigeon under the chin is a very warm and soft “neck-warmer”!

We’ve been thinking that Elmo also needs a bedtime because he gets restless if we stay up late. My husband is going to try putting Elmo away on the bedside table (where Elmo sleeps at night) after 10pm and see if that works. I’m not sure Elmo will approve of going to bed without his “mate” though.

Elmo often falls alseep on Richard’s chest anyway:

Elmo, one content little pigeon

In other news, we bought Georgie a cat nest to hide in. We were going to get it for her hatchday, however, we weren’t able to get to the shops in time, so we gave it to her the day after. Georgie seems to like it, although she often uses it as platform to launch herself across the room in an attempt at flying (she still manages to fly backwards).

Georgie, "King of the hill"

Georgie checking out her new nest

Our sofa space is now reduced even more. Georgie taking up one end, Elmo the other. I think we need a bigger sofa!!

I have been bitten by the knitting bug. I cannot stop. … Must create knitted pigeon flock!

(Oh, sorry pigeon folk if I’m boring you with all my knitting posts. I promise to write about Elmo and Georgie again soon.)

I first knitted Percy Pigeon by Alan Dart, however, my pigeon is more “Wonky the Pigeon”. Have a look:

Wonky pigeon

Wonky pigeon

Please bear in mind that this is the very first toy that I’ve ever knitted. While I found it easy to knit the pieces, I found it very hard to stitch the pigeon together. Practice makes perfect, though, so hopefully the next one will be more “together” and “with it”.

Although, with his wonky tail and lopsided body, he does look like a pigeon in need of care and rehabilitation – so he’s really the perfect mascot for my work at the wildlife rescue centre!

I next knitted a flock of tiny perching pigeons by Anna Hrachovec.

Tiny perching pigeon flock

The first tiny pigeon I knitted

There will be more to come!! I think I’ll have a few hundred of these little guys perched around the house and possibly in the garden too.

Mr. Pigeon (not knitted by me, by the way) wanted to meet the new additions and I think they’ll get along just fine:

Mr. Pigeon (top right) with the new knitted pigeons

My next pigeon project will be Cooey the Pigeon by Lauren O’Farrell (once I buy the book. Couldn’t find the pattern for free). I will be looking for pigeon patterns to knit and will one day have a big flock of different pigeons to keep Elmo and Georgie company.

A few days ago I spent a bit of time in Dora’s aviary at work – to check up on the resident pigeons there (a mixture of fancy, tame, and disabled pigeons), as well as to spend some time with Dora who used to live with us at home.

One thing I noticed immediately was that all the nesting pigeons (on fake eggs) were male pigeons, except for Dora! She was the only female to be incubating eggs. I don’t know why her mate, Pidge, wasn’t on duty – maybe Dora is a pushy girl and didn’t trust his commitment? Maybe Pidge isn’t as broody as he should be? Whatever the reason, it was quite funny to see the girl in her nest bowl, cooing away to Pidge while he pranced about on the perch to me (Pidge likes people as well as pigeons).

And as soon as I put my hand over to stroke her, Dora gave me the usual greeting:

Here’s Horatio (paired with Speckles) on incubating duty:

Horatio in his nest

And the new pigeon, Burko, (paired with Tux) is a very good mate – protecting his fake egg from my intruding fingers:

Burko in his nest

Rudderford has been through a moult and his new tail feathers aren’t as tatty as the previous ones, although I suspect they will soon fray at the ends again since he has trouble standing up properly (due to an injury).

Rudderford

It is a special day today: Georgie’s hatchday!

(Well, estimated day. We don’t know the exact date, only month, since she was found as a baby on the ground and taken to a rescue centre.)

Georgie is 4 years old, and still a baby in our eyes.

We have had her in our home for 3 years now, however, I’ve known Georgie for longer since she was brought to my work to be hand-reared and cared for. Georgie is the reason we fell in love with pigeons. Georgie is the source of my pigeon madness.

Now, how do you treat your pigeons on their special day when you spoil them so much everyday anyway? … Well, just give them more treats! Brioche is something that Georgie hasn’t had in a long time, so it was the choice treat for her on her hatchday.

And what else did she receive? Georgie received a card in the post from a friend (the lion card), and a card and two pigeon books from us that she’s been wanting. I’m sure I’m going to be reading these to her every night now.

Georgie checking out her presents

Today has been a gloriously sunny day, perfect for a little sunbathing time.

Georgie sunbathing

Georgie enjoying the sunshine

A visiting feral pigeon wanted to wish Georgie a “happy hatchday” but wasn’t sure about us humans being in the garden.

Feral pigeon on the roof

And Elmo has been on his best behaviour with Georgie today. He’s taken out his frustration on my feet instead. Ouch.

Georgie wants to send everyone a message of thanks for all the wonderful birthday wishes she’s received on facebook. “Coo, coo, thank you!!”