Month: November 2015

Its all the rage against isn’t it.  Star Wars.

Still remember sitting spell-bound in the theatre watching the sheer bulk of the Star Destroyer that seemed to go on and on.

So we segue way to Timmy.   We last left our hero looking much better with his new appendage appearing in fine form.

Today’s visit showed he had continued to grow the tail, and we learned a few new things about his life.  Firstly he and several of the females are carrying food in to the bush where the nest is located.  I’ve not been given privilege to go see, so can’t confirm what is going on in there.

Perhaps they are not feeding young, but rather keeping the nesting female well supplied in food.
Secondly his tail has started to come on quite nicely, and he still can hammer out a song.
And thirdly.  As its gotten bigger, so has his territorial aspirations.
Today saw him take quite a number of forays into Tommy the Tailful’s territory.  Timmy was able to advance about 10-15m more that last week, and even has established for himself a couple of calling posts, so this seemingly disadvantaged lad has made good.

Timmy seems to have accepted my being in the area, and is able to use the closest perches without the least concern for my being there.

Enjoy a good visit, we did.

Last week, dear reader, like the old Saturday Arvo Kids Matinee at the movies, we left Timmy with a a problem.

Took a hour or so today, to go back and visit our brave hero and see how he was handling his injury.

And surprise, his tail is indeed regrowing.  Not bad for about 2 weeks.  So its pretty certain that he is well on the road to recovery.

In the hour or so we sat with him it was pretty obvious that his condition hadn’t dented his enthusiasm, or his strong singing voice.  And we learned a little about life in Wren land.   He also seemed completely undeterred by our presence and would land on his favourite perches with no concern of our being there.

Another favourite spot

Timmy has a rival across the path. Called him Tommy the Tailful.   Because, well, he is looking pretty attractive in the Tail Stakes.   It also seems that Timmy’s territory covers the path and about 10 metres into the bush on the other side, and then after a small no-man’s land, Tommy is in charge.
Now, I’m sure the rules are well written, but a bit hard to follow, but its seems that the border really is a no go zone. Neither Tim nor Tom managed to cross over into each other’s territory.  In spite of some fearful calling battles. But what was obvious is that the young ladies on both Tim and Tom’s side feel no such limitation and freely crossed back and forth between the two territories.  Much to the delight and the chagrin of both males.  Each time a young lass would appear from the other side they were treated very well, and the male sat with them and performed all around the branches.  But when one of the wayward locals moved over and returned they got a right royal talking to.

In the end, it’s pretty certain that the only winner in all this is of course, the Gene Pool.  Female wrens not being noted for their fidelity, but rather the males end up raising young from other territories.  As this seems to have worked down through the years, one can only conclude that they benefit from the excursions.

So Timmy is well in control, well on the way to developing his new tail, and quite capable of bashing out a strong territory song.

Onya Timmy.

Don’t you just love a feel good story.

On the day of a great feel good story from the Melbourne Cup,  I found Timmy on the mend.

I’m not much of a fan of horse racing, but have to admit that the story of Michelle Payne, the wonderful horse Prince of Penzance, her brother as the strapper, and the trainer/connections story is one that fairy tale dreams are made of.
See the story here.
Steven the Strapper to qoute the article;  “Steven, who has Down syndrome, was responsible for drawing Prince of Penzance’s number one barrier, and correctly predicted the horse would be “in front at 200 metres [to go]“.
And rather than go up market, they have stayed with their roots and enjoyed the evening at a battler’s pub in St Kilda.
Love it when we stay true to our convictions.

Now its not that I don’t like horses, I’ve photographed a few of them in my time, and its not that I don’t enjoy a good day at the races.  Love the food, the atmosphere and the excitement of country racing.  Just don’t fancy seeing my money going into an endless pit, and watching an endless parade of horses around a track. Now before some one calls me, I really believe that horses love to run. And to run fast, and to jostle and parade.   It’s just that I don’t get the gratification thing for humans.

But back to Timmy.

You’ll remember when we left our hero that he was looking a bit down in the wardrobe department with the mysterious departure of his beautiful tail.   So we paid him a repeat visit today, and another fairy tale come true.
Timmy has begun to replace the missing wardrobe piece.

Still as active as ever, and just as vocal, and still chasing and harassing the females in his territory. So tailless or not, life has gone on for Timmy.   What a great story.
Enjoy