2010 baby and hen on nest with eggs from 1-25-10
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
EDUCATING THE PUBLIC: Florida State Fair
From 11-14 February at the Florida State Fair I will be educating the public about pigeons and our hobby.
Approximately 15 pigeons and a pair of Diamond Doves will be displayed.
A projector and Screen with professional Dvd's will be shown throughout the day. Dvd's courtesy of Jim Jennner; PACCOM FILMS, INC and Al Croseri; Alessandro Croseri Productions.
I hope to have the cage set up to show a Bluebar Feral pigeon, followed by a Bluebar Homer, White Homer, then followed with unusual pigeons that will WOW! the public.
The Diamond Doves will show how small a pigeon can be and I am sure they will be of great interest. The Doves are donated by Bob and Nancy Budden of Silver Springs Florida.
The Majority of the presentation birds were donated by Steve St Clair; National Pigeon Association Secretary and a great friend who always steps up to the plate in promoting pigeons.
At the conclusion of the fair, I will compose an article of what occured during my time with PIGEONS AT THE FLORIDA STATE FAIR.
Approximately 15 pigeons and a pair of Diamond Doves will be displayed.
I intend to speak to hundreds of fair visitors as they pass through our display. Young persons when interested will be taught how to read a pigeon band and will receive one to keep. Other items will be handed out to some of those who show the special interest in the birds. I intend to change the minds of our pigeon visitors and create "Pigeon Ambassadors".
A projector and Screen with professional Dvd's will be shown throughout the day. Dvd's courtesy of Jim Jennner; PACCOM FILMS, INC and Al Croseri; Alessandro Croseri Productions.
I hope to have the cage set up to show a Bluebar Feral pigeon, followed by a Bluebar Homer, White Homer, then followed with unusual pigeons that will WOW! the public.
The Diamond Doves will show how small a pigeon can be and I am sure they will be of great interest. The Doves are donated by Bob and Nancy Budden of Silver Springs Florida.
The Majority of the presentation birds were donated by Steve St Clair; National Pigeon Association Secretary and a great friend who always steps up to the plate in promoting pigeons.
At the conclusion of the fair, I will compose an article of what occured during my time with PIGEONS AT THE FLORIDA STATE FAIR.
Our Young Pigeon Ambassadors
PIGEONS IN THE CLASSROOM
Great American Teach-In
18 November 2009
On 18 November 2009, for the third year, I was invited to the Dr. John Long Middle School, Wesley Chapel Florida, for the Progress Energy Great American Teach-in.
I arrived around 0715 and registered and received my school authorization badge. Those for the teach-in were invited to a conference room where coffee and other breakfast sundries were available.
I volunteered to be available for 5 periods (120 Students) in Ms. Geiger Language Arts Class. Each class lasted about 45 minutes for my presentation. I had several live birds in cages at the front of the classroom. (Common, Homer, Frillback, Parlor Roller, Jacobin, and an American Fantail pigeons were on display) I posted a large NPA banner at the front of the class.
After an introduction to each class, the first topic was how to read a pigeon band. Every student received a band. Afterwards a short DVD presentation of WWI and WWII pigeons that contributed to the war effort saved many lives and received highest medals for their valor. Some discussion was initiated and the young people were very interested throughout the day with this segment of the presentations. All of the classes viewed this DVD. (The Pigeoneers)
Each class received different pigeon subject DVD presentations (exception of WWI &WWII) I talked about the Rock Dove and how it is related to the “Street Pigeon” and how the pyramid of pigeons is formed from the Rock Dove. I think this segment changed a lot of minds about the common pigeon in a good way, which will spin off in general how they will look at all pigeons. The DVD’s for my presentations were shown with permission of PACOM Films (Jim Jenner) and Allesandro Croseri Films. They were fascinated with what they saw in the DVD’s
Rewards of various items were given to each student who answered a question correctly about what was learned. An NPA Quarterly was awarded to one student of each class to share with the other class members.
Each student had the opportunity to touch/handle a pigeon. This was a big deal as none had previously touched a pigeon and some thought they would bite. I believe each young person enjoyed having close contact with the birds. The students were all amazed how soft the bird feathers are.
I believe these school presentations are invaluable for promoting our hobby and preserving it for the future. No, I did not gain a new member for the NPA, or an instant junior fancier. What I truly believe happened is the minds of these young people have been changed on how they look at pigeons in general. Perhaps in the future some may remember how interesting pigeons are and become a fancier later in life. Could one or more of these students move on in life and become a person of prominence who is confronted with a decision about pigeons regulating or removal laws? Maybe a right decision will be made due to their past school education about our hobby. I look at all of them as “pigeon ambassadors”.
As we all know ignorance about the pigeon has stymied our hobby for many years. In many ways we have been our own worse enemy for its promotion.
Later I received 120 thank you card “jewels” from the students, and here are some of their wonderful comments.
Dear Mr. Burnside,
“I didn’t know that a pigeon can do a trick”
“I always thought they were birds with no history”
“I learned they were used in wars and took pictures”
“My favorite thing was to be able to touch the beautiful birds”
“I enjoyed Flippy flipping” (Parlor Roller)
“I really liked the way you let us touch the pigeons and showed us the DVD’s”
“I learned they are neat”
“I learned that the Frillback pigeon felt really soft with lots of feathers” “Hopefully you will come again”
“Your Personality was great. So was your speech volume. I learned that people have pigeon races. I liked you bringing the birds out and having the class touch them. They were beautiful.
“I learned there are different types and you can make music with pigeons” (China Flutes)
“I liked it when you guided us through the movie so we would know what it is about”
“Thanks for changing my mind on pigeons”
“I liked the no head pigeon” (Jacobin
“Thank you so much for coming. It was extremely enjoyable and a great show to the end of the day”
“I wish I could join the NPA”
“I love how you took your time out of your day to teach us about pigeons and all the different kinds of pigeons. I learned a lot about pigeons. For example…I learned that pigeons deliver messages back in the day for the war people. I liked how you are so funny”
I had a lot of fun with the students and I am positive they had fun learning about “PIGEONS
Thanks to NPA Secretary Steve St Clair for assisting me in the Great American Teach-In with the donation of the beautiful presentation birds, a Frillback, Jacobin (the headless pigeon), Parlor Roller and the American Fantail. They were all a hit. (Steve…each class saw how the Parlor Roller rolled and the students were in awe). I did not take any photos as I was super busy.
Great American Teach-In
18 November 2009
On 18 November 2009, for the third year, I was invited to the Dr. John Long Middle School, Wesley Chapel Florida, for the Progress Energy Great American Teach-in.
I arrived around 0715 and registered and received my school authorization badge. Those for the teach-in were invited to a conference room where coffee and other breakfast sundries were available.
I volunteered to be available for 5 periods (120 Students) in Ms. Geiger Language Arts Class. Each class lasted about 45 minutes for my presentation. I had several live birds in cages at the front of the classroom. (Common, Homer, Frillback, Parlor Roller, Jacobin, and an American Fantail pigeons were on display) I posted a large NPA banner at the front of the class.
After an introduction to each class, the first topic was how to read a pigeon band. Every student received a band. Afterwards a short DVD presentation of WWI and WWII pigeons that contributed to the war effort saved many lives and received highest medals for their valor. Some discussion was initiated and the young people were very interested throughout the day with this segment of the presentations. All of the classes viewed this DVD. (The Pigeoneers)
Each class received different pigeon subject DVD presentations (exception of WWI &WWII) I talked about the Rock Dove and how it is related to the “Street Pigeon” and how the pyramid of pigeons is formed from the Rock Dove. I think this segment changed a lot of minds about the common pigeon in a good way, which will spin off in general how they will look at all pigeons. The DVD’s for my presentations were shown with permission of PACOM Films (Jim Jenner) and Allesandro Croseri Films. They were fascinated with what they saw in the DVD’s
Rewards of various items were given to each student who answered a question correctly about what was learned. An NPA Quarterly was awarded to one student of each class to share with the other class members.
Each student had the opportunity to touch/handle a pigeon. This was a big deal as none had previously touched a pigeon and some thought they would bite. I believe each young person enjoyed having close contact with the birds. The students were all amazed how soft the bird feathers are.
I believe these school presentations are invaluable for promoting our hobby and preserving it for the future. No, I did not gain a new member for the NPA, or an instant junior fancier. What I truly believe happened is the minds of these young people have been changed on how they look at pigeons in general. Perhaps in the future some may remember how interesting pigeons are and become a fancier later in life. Could one or more of these students move on in life and become a person of prominence who is confronted with a decision about pigeons regulating or removal laws? Maybe a right decision will be made due to their past school education about our hobby. I look at all of them as “pigeon ambassadors”.
As we all know ignorance about the pigeon has stymied our hobby for many years. In many ways we have been our own worse enemy for its promotion.
Later I received 120 thank you card “jewels” from the students, and here are some of their wonderful comments.
Dear Mr. Burnside,
“I didn’t know that a pigeon can do a trick”
“I always thought they were birds with no history”
“I learned they were used in wars and took pictures”
“My favorite thing was to be able to touch the beautiful birds”
“I enjoyed Flippy flipping” (Parlor Roller)
“I really liked the way you let us touch the pigeons and showed us the DVD’s”
“I learned they are neat”
“I learned that the Frillback pigeon felt really soft with lots of feathers” “Hopefully you will come again”
“Your Personality was great. So was your speech volume. I learned that people have pigeon races. I liked you bringing the birds out and having the class touch them. They were beautiful.
“I learned there are different types and you can make music with pigeons” (China Flutes)
“I liked it when you guided us through the movie so we would know what it is about”
“Thanks for changing my mind on pigeons”
“I liked the no head pigeon” (Jacobin
“Thank you so much for coming. It was extremely enjoyable and a great show to the end of the day”
“I wish I could join the NPA”
“I love how you took your time out of your day to teach us about pigeons and all the different kinds of pigeons. I learned a lot about pigeons. For example…I learned that pigeons deliver messages back in the day for the war people. I liked how you are so funny”
I had a lot of fun with the students and I am positive they had fun learning about “PIGEONS
Thanks to NPA Secretary Steve St Clair for assisting me in the Great American Teach-In with the donation of the beautiful presentation birds, a Frillback, Jacobin (the headless pigeon), Parlor Roller and the American Fantail. They were all a hit. (Steve…each class saw how the Parlor Roller rolled and the students were in awe). I did not take any photos as I was super busy.
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