Another in my "Finer Feathered Friends" series

Final size: 72" wide

Portrait of a Cinereous Vulture

Another in my ongoing series of "Finer Feathered Friends"
This fellow , also known as the Black Vulture or Monk Vulture is the largest bird of prey in the world.

The real story of how legwarmers came to be invented

Rumor has it that back in 1981, a certain peacock farmer in Montezuma, Kansas had grown quite upset after his continuing efforts to breed a peacock with more plumage on its lower extremities failed. (He was frequently overheard saying "All I want is just one stinkin' bird with nicer gams.") He then begged the women of his rural town to knit brightly colored tubes for his flock to match his assortment of Buford Bronze, Spalding Purple and India Blue peafowl. The women agreed for they were all tired of pettipoint and quilting and he had promised them that each would have a chick named after her. The women set to work knitting pair after pair that were loose enough so as to fit over the peacocks and peahen's oversized talons. With nothing to hold them up, they ended up all slouchy.

It was then that a very enterprising local aerobics instructor happened to drive by the farm and over a bit of chicken coop wiring (that said farmer  had angrily thrown into the road) leaving her with a flat tire and several hours to wait for her cousin to come with the towtruck. Soon after a fad was born.

Little known fact: If you play the soundtrack to Flashdance backwards, you'll very clearly hear the sound of happy peacocks.

Who knew?

A new Long-Tailed Hornbill Portrait (plus a few recent ones)

I am totally fascinated by this fellow (at least I hope it's a fellow because if its a girl, she is destined to stay single for all eternity)

This is a West African Long-Tailed (or White Crested) Hornbill.
They are only about 18" tall with a 42" long tail but their countenance is remarkable and has surely inspired many a horror story. For me they are clearly inspiring although I wish I could get at least one of them to smile for the camera or at least look a touch happier. Oh well... at least they don't try to peck my eyes out like they used to.

Perfectly poised Peacock with plumage proudly pointed posing

So here's what you do: find a beautiful background with lots of color and plop yourself down on the ground hoping that an equally beautiful and colorful bird parades along. If you dream enough, one will eventually come true. 

And then if you're really lucky, the perfectly pedigreed peacock will want to be your pet.

Finer feathered friends

A series of tests for a large scale project I'm working on.

The "Make Tofu the star this Thanksgiving" Society is officially called to order

Mildred, Vice Chairperson and Recording Secretary for the Pocantico, New York Chapter of the "Make Tofu the star this Thanksgiving" Society watches the last runner in their fundraising Turkey Trot cross the finish line.

Tofuducken, anyone? You'll gobble it up.

John, CFO and Treasurer of the Pocantico, New York Chapter of the "Make Tofu the star this Thanksgiving" Society exhibiting a rare outburst of anger at the lackluster results from the recent Tofucakes Bake Sale.

The heretofore super-secret recipe for Mildred's Tofucakes with Cornbread, Oyster and Cranberry Frosting may be posted here eventually.

Florence came all the way up from the Greenville, South Carolina Chapter to attend the Annual Tofucakes Breakfast and 5K Turkey Trot sponsored by the Pocantico, New York Chapter of the "Make Tofu the star this Thanksgiving" Society

Nothing beats a short stack of tofucakes smothered in warm sweet potato and maple syrup (except maybe some of Aunt Edith's Scratch Biscuits with Tofu Gravy).


Ethel's feathers were ruffled earlier when John made an off-color remark about her tofu cobbler tasting like chicken. Such displays are frowned upon at the Pocantico, New York Chapter of the "Make Tofu the star this Thanksgiving" Society's board meetings.

Tastes like chicken...hmmmmph!

Pea Hen Perched Perfectly

North American Bald Eagle

Pea Hen Portrait

Andean Condor

Fred

Condor on the prowl

Condor doing his best Peter Lorre impersonation

Seeking Hitchcock

Liberace reincarnated