Parrot Mountain

Today was a "Caleb & Nan Day."  We always manage to make those times special.  But today, I would have to say that the time together was EXTRA special!

After a nice relaxing breakfast we headed to Parrot Mountain & Garden of Eden in Pigeon Forge, TN.  The brochure I picked up a few weeks ago was intriguing.  While beautiful and informative it in no way prepared me for the spectacular visit we were about to experience.

Parrot Mountain opened in 2002 with a three-fold mission:  (1) To be a witness to others - to be a testimonial that there is a God who is the Maker of all things and reigns over all the earth.   (2)  To provide shelter for abused or neglected birds and a home to birds who need a place to live.  (3)  To educate the public, preservation of endangered and threatened species (specifically the Passenger Pigeon and the Carolina Parakeet), and to do so while keeping harmony with the beauty and serenity of the mountains.

Over 600 birds live on Parrot Mountain.   Several gorgeous macaws greeted us when we walked up to the entrance.  One blue and gold macaw actually said "Hello" while turning his head almost 90 degrees (a gesture that says "pet me" in bird-speak)  A red macaw wolf whistled like a construction worker and several macaws and cockatoos joined together with a loud and enthusiastic bird welcome. 

The staff were very cordial, highly informative and very conscientious about the need to control disease for birds and humans alike.  Every station where we had hands-on opportunities hand-sanitizing was strictly (but pleasantly) enforced.  I can't imagine how well grounded and stress-free these people are as they execute their daily tasks!  It is a little slice of heaven on earth way atop the mountain!

We fed macaws, parrots, cockatoos, conures and the like handfuls of bird feed - they were gracious, polite and very patient with one another. There in the "bird garden" many of the larger birds were quite talkative... each one saying "hello" in his/her own distinct voice.  Imagine Caleb's surprise when one of the cockatoos near the back of the garden opened his mouth to speak and instead of a "hello" he cocked his head to the side and very clearly said "Bye Bye" !!

Next we wandered on to the Lorie feeding area.  Lories do not eat seed/feed.  They feast on nectar.  As we entered, we were each given a little cup of nectar.  The moment we were in the aviary, they sang and flitted around, each on landing on our hands and arms to enjoy some of the nectar. 

A Secret Garden where toucans, magpies, peacocks and many other winged wonders live in peaceful harmony with bromeliads and flowering plants.  Benches invited us to "come and sit a spell" but Caleb was too excited to do so! 

Next, we went to the Baby Bird Nursery.  Many of the babies were out playing and only too happy to have some human time and interaction.  Tiny pocket parrots were toted around  in small cloth purse-like bags that were just large enough to hold the tiny green bird and part of a millet spray by nursery workers. 

At the end of the walking paths, we encountered a beautiful waterfall and then wandered through an entry flanked by statues of praying angels on each side.  One by one, we passed areas of the garden that were designed to depict the major events of the Christ story -- a manger, a hill with three crosses, an empty tomb guarded by another angel, and a statue of the resurrected Christ.  Small placards with appropriate Bible verses accompanied each of the sites.

Our trip to Parrot Mountain was documented in photos and wonderful memories were made today.  We will not soon forget today's experiences!