Please don’t take away our tropical paradise….

by The Philosophical Fish

Two nights ago the Vancouver Park Board voted to close the Bloedel Conservatory in the Queen Elizabeth Park. It makes me sad for a number of reasons.

It’s not a fantastic conservatory compared to some in the world, but it is a tropical paradise that one can escape to in the depths of a rainy Vancouver winter. It’s warm, and humid, and there are tropical birds and colourful tropical flowers. And don’t we need those bright spots on an otherwise grey canvas between September and May?

I have some great photos of the flora and fauna in the conservatory. In particular I got a few really great shots of the Moluccan cockatoo in the summer of 2008. I couldn’t really walk well, because after the first day of our photography class I tried to break both my feet off. Luckily I only half succeeded. But as a result I missed our field trip…. but Kirk, bless him after I ruined our summer vacation by crippling myself (hard to jump off a boat and help dock it when you can’t even walk), held me up and took me to where the class went for the field trip and took all the same pictures all over again so I could sort of be one of the class… even though the class ended a month previous.

I worked in a pet store once…and I hated Moluccan cockatoos…almost as much as I loved them. They are soft and fluffy and pink…and they talk in a little girl’s voice and stretch their necks out and scratch themselves on a spot near the back while looking at you longingly as if they are desperately trying to say “here? Please” Oh if you just scratched me here it would feel SOOOOO good and I would be soooo grateful.” But man…can they scream. Shatteringly, deafeningly, blood spurts out of your ears scream…. They get people evicted. And that is how this Moluccan cockatoo ended up at the Bloedel Conservatory. Charlie was his name. He passed away about a week ago, and his keepers shed tears on television…and I felt for them. these monsters really get under your skin with their simple personalities and exuberant attitudes. As loud as they are, they are truly loving creatures…when they aren’t screaming. I understand this…I live with a little parrot. Some days I love him, others I wonder what he’d taste like stewed in a broth. Too small…not much of a mouthful.

Gizmo really is a small problem child compared to what a Moluccan can put you through. Consider the following recommendations I found online….

  1. Be sure your home and family is willing to accept the responsibilities and needs of the Cockatoo. If you wish to cut down on the dust, make sure you have an excellent air cleaner in the same room and plan on a small shop vac for daily cleanups of debris thrown from the cage. Note it says ” cut down “. Cockatoos produce large amounts of dust and your home will get coated with it. Running the vacuum and / or dusting daily is pretty common with the Cockatoo species. They produce that much dust. Allergies or asthma ? Consider a different species.
  2. Buy a very large cage and try to get one with a play gym on the top. Place the cage against a wall (unless you have a chewer) and never in front of a window where the bird cannot find some privacy and seclusion. Keep the cage where the bird can see family members interacting and feel like they are part of the action but in an area away from the kitchen and fumes.
  3. Plan on buying lots of toys or making them. Cockatoos love to destroy things, chew up old socks, and their bright minds need to be stimulated all the time. Rotate the toys every week to keep their interest.
  4. Pay attention to the birds. These are not birds that can be left 8 hours a day with no human interaction. They become neurotic and can resort to self-mutilation to try to comfort themselves.
  5. Good training early on in a bird’s life will ensure continued acceptable behavior later on when the hormones kick in. Make sure you allow them time to amuse themselves and not indulge their constant need for attention. These birds aren’t called ‘Velcro’ birds for nothing!
  6. If you go out, leave a radio or the tv on so they have something to listen to and watch. Tell them you are coming back and will see them in a little bit. They understand a lot and have the intelligence of a 2 year-old human.
  7. While some learn to talk well, they generally are the clowns and love entertaining you by dancing, flapping and swinging with loud abandon. Their vocal range is wide and can be heard halfway down the block, so have understanding neighbors that have been allowed to get to know the bird when you take it outside. If you live in an apartment, do not even consider a Moluccan. With a yell capable of reaching 130db, your neighbors will ensure you don’t stay long.

Small wonder Charlie ended up there…. but I digress….

When I have been to the conservatory I have watched people look on the birds in wonder. Others stand in awe of the fantastic plants and flowers. Others appear simply grateful to be out of the rain.

If this decision goes through, the Bloedel Conservatory will die, and another wonderful and exotic escape in BC will disappear much like the Crystal Gardens did several years ago.

And that will truly be a tragedy.

47 comments

Flickr: Just Mom August 11, 2008 - 8:12 pm

Gorgeous Paige!

Just Mom August 11, 2008 - 8:12 pm

Gorgeous Paige!

They also added this photo to their favourites

Just Mom August 11, 2008 - 8:12 pm

Added this photo to their favorites

Flickr: Jen'B August 11, 2008 - 9:39 pm

Oh Paige……..this is wonderful.

Jen'B's Copyrighted pics August 11, 2008 - 9:39 pm

Oh Paige……..this is wonderful.

Flickr: Missy2004 August 19, 2008 - 8:01 pm

CONGRATS you are the winner of challenge #2 —My favourite coloyr…please tag your photo "beautifulworldchallenges" and post it to the group pool. You now have 24 hours to open a new challenge with the same # as the one you have won ….which is #2
Beautiful World
Please Remember to Vote in Challenges

Missy2004 August 19, 2008 - 8:01 pm

CONGRATS you are the winner of challenge #2 —My favourite coloyr…please tag your photo "beautifulworldchallenges" and post it to the group pool. You now have 24 hours to open a new challenge with the same # as the one you have won ….which is #2
Beautiful World
Please Remember to Vote in Challenges

Flickr: JKmedia April 16, 2009 - 9:29 pm


CONGRATULATIONS! You have won challenge #11 —On Black— in the 15 Challenges group.

Please tag your photo "15 Challenges Winner" and post it to the group pool. You have 12 hours from receipt of this award to open a new challenge or one will be opened for you. Please use the opening new threads code here

JKmedia April 16, 2009 - 9:29 pm


CONGRATULATIONS! You have won challenge #11 —On Black— in the 15 Challenges group.

Please tag your photo "15 Challenges Winner" and post it to the group pool. You have 12 hours from receipt of this award to open a new challenge or one will be opened for you. Please use the opening new threads code here

Flickr: Missy2004 April 24, 2009 - 6:06 pm

CONGRATS you are the winner of challenge #4 —Something Pink …please tag your photo "beautifulworldchallenges" and post it to the group pool. You now have 18 hours to open a new challenge with the same # as the one you have won ….which is #4
Beautiful World
Please Remember to Vote in Challenges

Missy2004 April 24, 2009 - 6:06 pm

CONGRATS you are the winner of challenge #4 —Something Pink …please tag your photo "beautifulworldchallenges" and post it to the group pool. You now have 18 hours to open a new challenge with the same # as the one you have won ….which is #4
Beautiful World
Please Remember to Vote in Challenges

Flickr: See Here Now September 16, 2009 - 1:12 am

Absolutely beautiful!

See Here Now September 16, 2009 - 1:12 am

Absolutely beautiful!

They also added this photo to their favourites

See Here Now September 16, 2009 - 1:12 am

Added this photo to their favorites

Flickr: Helena Pugsley September 16, 2009 - 7:02 am

Challenge Group Game
Please post your winning image to the Challenge Group Game
and tag your photo "CHALLENGEGAMEWINNER."

You have up to 60 minutes to open a new challenge using the same number as the challenge that you have won. After that time we will open one for you.

Helena Pugsley September 16, 2009 - 7:02 am

Challenge Group Game
Please post your winning image to the Challenge Group Game
and tag your photo "CHALLENGEGAMEWINNER."

You have up to 60 minutes to open a new challenge using the same number as the challenge that you have won. After that time we will open one for you.

Flickr: der_André September 16, 2009 - 7:22 pm

awesome capture!!!
Flowers Group

der_André September 16, 2009 - 7:22 pm

awesome capture!!!
Flowers Group

Flickr: Janis Brass Photography November 27, 2009 - 6:17 am

I hope to get in there this weekend, that is the most horrible decision.

Memaxmarz November 27, 2009 - 6:17 am

I hope to get in there this weekend, that is the most horrible decision.

Flickr: nath&black November 27, 2009 - 7:04 am

Great !
This photo deserves an award!
Black and White Awards
seen in Black and White Awards

nath&black November 27, 2009 - 7:04 am

Great !
This photo deserves an award!
Black and White Awards
seen in Black and White Awards

Flickr: Flohrida November 27, 2009 - 7:33 am

Wow, great bw picture. Really great composition and contrast!

Flohrida November 27, 2009 - 7:33 am

Wow, great bw picture. Really great composition and contrast!

Flickr: jjdeivi November 27, 2009 - 8:27 am

Fantastic!!! Greetings

jjdeivi November 27, 2009 - 8:27 am

Fantastic!!! Greetings

sunbearbilly November 27, 2009 - 4:39 pm

Added this photo to their favorites

Flickr: barefootin' November 27, 2009 - 9:37 pm

Oh, my, I can’t believe they’re doing that! Great image, Paige.

barefootin' November 27, 2009 - 9:37 pm

Oh, my, I can’t believe they’re doing that! Great image, Paige.

Flickr: Bob Small pho·tog·ra·phy November 28, 2009 - 6:07 pm

Closed? How sad…..

I’d love to be taking more shots at the moment but waiting on Santa Claus for the underwater case I seem to need every day recently!!

Seen in my contacts’ photos. ( ?² )

Bob Small photography. November 28, 2009 - 6:07 pm

Closed? How sad…..

I’d love to be taking more shots at the moment but waiting on Santa Claus for the underwater case I seem to need every day recently!!

Seen in my contacts’ photos. ( ?² )

Flickr: Jacqui J. November 29, 2009 - 4:02 pm

It looks to be a wonderful place, why are they closing it? Love the symbolism of the fountain … reaching for the sky.

Gone off to contemplate my navel. TTFN November 29, 2009 - 4:02 pm

It looks to be a wonderful place, why are they closing it? Love the symbolism of the fountain … reaching for the sky.

Flickr: Helena Pugsley November 30, 2009 - 10:15 am

Challenge Group Game
Please post your winning image to the Challenge Group Game
and tag your photo "CHALLENGEGAMEWINNER."

You have up to 60 minutes to open a new challenge using the same number as the challenge that you have won. After that time we will open one for you.

Helena Pugsley November 30, 2009 - 10:15 am

Challenge Group Game
Please post your winning image to the Challenge Group Game
and tag your photo "CHALLENGEGAMEWINNER."

You have up to 60 minutes to open a new challenge using the same number as the challenge that you have won. After that time we will open one for you.

Flickr: Free 2 Be December 1, 2009 - 4:33 pm

Thanks everyone.

It’s not closed yet, although the last vote was to do so. The Vancouver Park Board has financial woes and this hit the chopping block. Hopefully it can be saved and kept open because it really is a wonderful place to go when the rain pours down. Not anywhere close tot he Eden Project, but still, it is a warm tropical place to spend a bit of time and get away from the weather for Vancouverites.

Free 2 Be December 1, 2009 - 4:33 pm

Thanks everyone.

It’s not closed yet, although the last vote was to do so. The Vancouver Park Board has financial woes and this hit the chopping block. Hopefully it can be saved and kept open because it really is a wonderful place to go when the rain pours down. Not anywhere close tot he Eden Project, but still, it is a warm tropical place to spend a bit of time and get away from the weather for Vancouverites.

Flickr: David on LRM December 2, 2009 - 10:58 am

Well said Paige. What a shame that this place has attracted the politician’s axe. My quess though is that they’ll have a fight on there hands yet.

David in Derbyshire December 2, 2009 - 10:58 am

Well said Paige. What a shame that this place has attracted the politician’s axe. My quess though is that they’ll have a fight on there hands yet.

Flickr: Free 2 Be December 3, 2009 - 3:36 am

I would guess that you are right…or at least I hope so…

Free 2 Be December 3, 2009 - 3:36 am

I would guess that you are right…or at least I hope so…

Flickr: danny george December 8, 2009 - 7:31 am

Free 2 Be I had no idea that you were capable of such prose- what a lovely even awesome statement !!

danny george December 8, 2009 - 7:31 am

Free 2 Be I had no idea that you were capable of such prose- what a lovely even awesome statement !!

Flickr: Free 2 Be December 8, 2009 - 4:45 pm

No one has ever said my writing could be likened to prose…. thanx Danny! That’s AWESOME! ;-P

Free 2 Be December 8, 2009 - 4:45 pm

No one has ever said my writing could be likened to prose…. thanx Danny! That’s AWESOME! ;-P

Flickr: Jair65 August 9, 2010 - 10:05 pm

                       SWEEP!
preGameSweepWinner2-medal (by pipeguru)
Please add your photo to Our Pool

This photo is eligible compete in *Game Challenge Group

Frozen Image Photography August 9, 2010 - 10:05 pm

                       SWEEP!
preGameSweepWinner2-medal (by pipeguru)
Please add your photo to Our Pool

This photo is eligible compete in *Game Challenge Group

Comments are closed.