Unfortunately as my computer skills are limited I can only hope this link takes you to the magazines site. I can honestly say this article was something we had hoped would happen for a very long time. M.A.R.S. As you all know by now is the short version for Melbourne Avian Rescue Sanctuary our exotic bird rescue located on Florida’s Space Coast. We are always seeking ways to get the word out of our organization but lack the funds to promote all the work we do and programs we offer here at the rescue. Having a page featured in a magazine such as Space Coast Living will certainly aide us in reaching a far larger audience and we so thank them for this chance to do so. Â As those that follow our Facebook page know this article is also a bit bittersweet as it is the last photos taken of our beautiful Blue and Gold Macaw Woody and her life long partner Paco. Â Woody passed away shortly after these photos were taken. As always all here at our Florida Parrot Rescue MARS want to thank all of you for your continued support of our cause and for reading this posting.
Cockatoos
Really? A cooking blog from our bird rescue M.A.R.S.
Absolutely, a must do this blog moment. Hope you all like reading it. So lets start at the end, and work back to the beginning.
This is not necessarily the fun part, the clean up that is, but considering the well received outcome of the endeavor, not such a big deal, big mess well YES!!!
When you wake up to one very cold Florida morning, ( no we could not see our own breath outside), you naturally want to warm things up a bit. Knowing there will soon be some semi cold volunteers on hand and bird beaks all in need of something warm and hopefully delicious. A little inspiration written into the kitchen window, and let the creative process begin.
One of our volunteers Jill, had recently had a party and shared the unused marinated chicken with us, along with the instructions to cook it and not let it go to waste. So what to do? Simple saute it, add some broth, carmelize some red onion, add some sauteed cherry tomatoes, (I love listening to them pop as they cook don’t you)? My friend and amazing cook Susan taught me that one. And yes Susan is usually the one cooking for all the volunteers here at M.A.R.S.. I am just usually the one cooking for the birds, or is that my cooking is for the birds? Ah well we will let the volunteers be the judge of that.
So we then add the cherry tomatoes and of course garlic cloves, how could I forget to mention lots of garlic cloves. Place everything in the crock pot for a volunteer lunch later in the afternoon.
The final ingredients, tri colored pasta, and additionally, crusty Italian bread and meyer lemon Itallian cookies for desert. Thank you Susan for those delightful additions to round out the meal.
And for the avians of Melbourne Avian Rescue Sanctuary, one of all their favorites, french toast,  made a little more special for all of them on this very chilly Florida day here at our place simply known as M.A.R.S.
And if you are possibly wondering if we all had a really good, delicious and productive day here at M.A.R.S., I can tell you this, all the Cockatoos, Amazons and Macaws are still quiet.. Always a good sign of happy birds.
M.A.R.S. is wet and wild.
You might, after all this time, think bath day here at Melbourne Avian Rescue Sanctuary is just another routine day. No way we all say! This was especially true for our very own Mr. Stubbs who just could not get enough today. He even improvised using his own bowl when we were busy hosing down the rest of the crew here at M.A.R.S.  
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Linda, Jane and I just kept taking turns with the hose, going all around the outside visitor area where the birds come for their outside time and baths. All the avians just kept asking for more, except for Jakers of course. He just puts up with it because he knows he has to do so. Then he gets 
once again to go up his favorite tree and dry off in the midday sun.
Woody one of our permanent resident Macaws just instisted on more and more.
So if you think bath day here at our exotic bird rescue is ever routine or dull, then you haven’t visited on one of these days. Plan a visit on one of our open days. (We post schedule updates on our facebook page). Wed. is usually designated bath day. We hope you too have regularly scheduled bath days for your feathered family members. Please when you come to M.A.R.S. remember donations from all of you at any time helps us to continue helping all of them. 
Just one more for you. Where there is Mr. Stubbs, Big Bird is always somewhere near by.
OK, What is “Birdy Boot Camp”???
Birdy Boot Camp is primarly a program we have developed here at M.A.R.S. to help exotic bird owners who have reached an impass point with their feathered family member. The main question at hand, is two fold, one, they are looking for solutions to help keep their parrot in their home, or two, the possible need to surrender their parrot to M.A.R.S.Â
Our goal at Melbourne Avian Rescue Sanctuary is obviously the first one. Helping the parrot to stay with the owner.
The process is not a trade secret. Some of our biggest successes have been simple and straight forward. A change of scenery for the parrot, sunshine, fresh air, baths, other birds to watch and learn how to play from, different people to interact with, etc. and providing to the parrot owner a much needed break from their daily routine. The chance for each to see what life is like without the other. Simple right?????
It is then our job to deal with the more difficult Birdy Boot Camp atendees, which of course happens, when simple is not the solution. That is becoming more prevelant these days as people simply deal with all that life throws in their paths, leaving the bird in a kind of parrot limbo. That’s when a parrot with no skills to entertain itself can become impossible. Screeming, plucking, destructive frustrated behavior can insue.
We simply ask you to ask yourself if a chance to keep your bird in your home might be worth a stay here at our “Birdy Boot Camp”. We have many successful, happy endings with this program. We have been given the opportunity to meet some amazing avians and some very misunderstood ones. We can help to clarify that too. You have only to make the decision to do so. Contact marsparrots@aol.com for available dates and times. A one month stay is recommended.
Clicking away can make for such a lucky picture day.
It seems possible, but for me, the novice picture taker, very unlikely to ever get a clear picture of a parrot in flight.
Keiffer, was the bird I set my lens on as he is one of our most frequent flyers here at our parrot rescue known as M.A.R.S..
To those in the know, Melbourne Avian Rescue Sanctuary, believes in flighted birds and their ability to be smart and savy when given their chance to show all of us they know how to use their wings and how to be safe when doing so. Yes I have chased down a few birds in my day, and I now know that they must learn to fly, where they live and feed and sleep.
Jane and Linda were on deck yesterday, so for the most part I spent time outside with all the Cockatoos, Amazons, and Macaws,  bathing,  giving treats and watching out for changes in the threatening weather that was all around us most of the day. Fortunately, other then a few sprinkles it never came our way.
So let’s get back to Keiffer. He was a bit on the wild side, actually alot on the wild side as nature continued to put on it’s thunder and lightening show. He reveled in getting all the rest of the birds very excited, but in a good way, not to an adjitated state. He hopped and flew from deck to umbrella and railing to cage warning his friends, and making them aware to the ever present danger of the pending storm. Of course, it is necessary to remember, we the humans have the ability to influence this behavior too, by acting in a rational way or not. I do not recommend the” not” part!!!
There is a brief glimpse of a tail and wing in this first shot.
Followed by, yes!!
 that would be Keiffer. Remember always when visiting M.A.R.S., even though our hours have chanced so much recently and we apologize to those who have tried to visit and could not do so, that a donation to our cause helps us to continue helping all of them in every way we can. You make this possible.