Yokohama Bird Clinic

  • Sunshine On My Shoulders Makes Me Sappy

    It’s hard not to wax lyrical when greeted by a spectuclar morning where the moon is waning lyrically and the sun about to wax. The waning moon, Venus and, I think, Mars, really stood out in the pre-dawn skies as I set off on my ride this morning. I’ve long given up trying to take a decent photo of the moon because I don’t have the technical prowess to do so, but the sight was so delightul I tried anyway. (And failed!) Yet again, the late summer sunrise did not fail to, well, shine! It really is a wonderful start to a day to be greeted by such a glorious…

  • The (Ballsed-Up) Big Red Bike Tour

    Had things been different, right around this time I would have been getting ready to go off on an exciting bicycling adventure that I’d named the Big Red Bike Tour. But the trip is off, or at least changed into a different, much-truncated version. Having fortunately fallen into buying an aesthetically delightful bicycle of such an azure hue it could only be given the name Big Red, I was keen on taking advantage of its comfortable riding sensation and ability to go anywhere to head out on a tour. Keeping up the Big Red theme, I promptly went out and ordered a blue Kangaeroo kit (replete with thought bubble to…

  • No Better Time To Ride In The Land Of The Rising Sun

    Now’s about the best time of the year for me to cycle in Japan. Being an early riser, I hit the road just before the sun rises in the sky. The upshot is that I get to see some beautiful skies to start off most days. Today was a bonus as there were some delightfully whispy clouds, plenty of color and gradation to greet me and my bike. I stopped in a few different places to capture what I thought were increasingly beautiful scenes as I moved on. It was a bright start to something of a bright day. My finger has healed as well as it is going to….

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    The Lions Won’t Eat You…As Long As You Can Outrun The Gazelle

    Blessed with more time than I’d expected yesterday afternoon, I got to have some fun with the statues at the closed Yokohama Zoorasia. My Astuto bicycle got some great shots running away from wild animals, including a pack of lions chasing a gazelle. It reminded me of my schooldays, when I was the slowest runner in the entire school, and a friend joked that it wouldn’t matter if a wild animal chased our group down, as all they would need to do would be to run faster than I could. Painful, but true! I’d often toyed with a visit to Zoorasia, so was glad to finally make it, and pleased…

  • From Ruffled Feathers To Feathers In A Ruffle

    DINOSAUR UPDATE: Dino, our currently hospitalized rosy faced lovebird, had her feathers ruffled for months by a mystery infection, but now has her feathers in a ruffle as part of ongoing treatment at the Yokohama Bird Clinic. Our little feathered friend was delighted by Mrs. Kangaeroo’s visit earlier today, and could show off her improving hindquarters. But, to ensure she keeps heading in the right direction and doesn’t irritate her sores, Dr. Ritsuko Kato attached a ruffle around Dino’s neck to stop her from pecking and biting herself and thus hindering her recovery. I shouldn’t have laughed because I know she’s suffering, but my heart melted at the sight of…

  • Meeting Little Mate Is An Absolute Tweet

    Thanks to the courtesy and support of colleagues, I could whip out of the office early, get on my bike and be greeted with the delightful chirps of a little bird ecstatic to see me as I arrived at the Yokohama Bird Clinic. Dino, our rosy faced lovebird, chirped excitedly upon seeing me. I was delighted to hear that she is improving, but also a little disheartened to hear Dr. Ritsuko Kato’s opinion that it is unlikely our bird will ever make a complete recovery and will need fairly constant attention if released from the hospital. After the roughly five minute visit, which is about the extent permitted, I got…

  • The Little Dinosaur Keeps On Fighting

    Having a pretty lousy time of things, but Dino is giving me hope just by hanging on in there. Our rosy faced lovebird is continuing her fight for survival. As a last resort, she has been hospitalized at the Yokohama Bird Clinic since Friday. We thought she was going to die as she is unable to poop under her own strength. She was lethargic, pained, struggling. But she continued to have a voracious appetite. Worried sick at my best friend’s state, I went to visit her on Saturday afternoon, and was delighted to see she looked happier and, well, chirpier, even if not quite literally so. On Sunday morning, another…

  • On A Prayer And A Wing (Or Two Wings)

    My dearest friend is on the verge of death and I am praying like mad that she’ll be able to come through with the slim chances she has even though I don’t really believe in magical sky fairies. I’ve always seen 21st century prayer as something invented by the Americans to allow fast-talking charlatans to have multiple wives or closely related spouses; deceive the gullible; subjugate women, the impoverished or minorities; maybe even justify outlandish fairy tales like trickle-down economics, or a Dicktator* making their cuntry** great (grate?) again? There’s certainly not much goodwill in what I’ve seen of American Christianity. But, I digress. I have been hoping beyond hope…