An irresistable fascination with birds has existed for countless years from bird watching, to bird counting, bird racing, bird breeding, bird feeding and the inevitable desire to fly like a bird. While attention has grown in leaps and bounds toward bird identification, the preservation of habitats and the protection of birds, we could find little that would give us insight to their individual day to day lives. The ever so useful field guides were exceptional and a tool we could not live without, but they didn't cover what we sought -- so we set out in search of the birdistic.

We, at tale-feathers.com are caring observers interested in what our subjects think, how they feel, and what they experience in the events of their lives.

 
Equipped with cameras, writing materials, and a desire to experience the bird behind the bird, we found astonishing displays of bravery, curiosity, patience and love. We found fear, rivalry, discust, pleasure, pride, loyalty and so much more.

At tale-feathers.com, we hope you too will enjoy the world we have attempted to capture.

Mike Bowles

Mike's interest in birds has spanned decades beginning at the age of 10, when he began feeding a pair of pigeons in his backyard. As pigeons will do, they made Mike's home theirs and in an effort to provide them with shelter, Mike and his dad built a pigeon coop where he could house and raise them. Over the years, Mike entertained and amazed his friends with his pigeons' antics -- including taking a pigeon great distances from home, releasing him and then watching the pigeon return. Eventually, Mike's flock grew to over 50 pigeons.

Some years later, Mike became interested in photography as a means to capture subjects for his paintings. With his love for birds, it seemed only natural to focus his lens toward the sky where he had spent countless hours enjoying the freedom of his own flock.

Peregrine Falcon & Mike (June 2003)
Photo by Steve Smith

Loretta & Great Egret (Oct 2003)
(Our friend Eddie - the Egret)
Photo by Mike Bowles

Loretta Erickson

Niece of world famous wildlife and Disney Photographers -- Alfred and Elma Milotte, Loretta acquired her love of nature at a very early age. With Uncle Al's patient introduction, she was given the opportunity to develop her interest and appreciation of wildlife by exploring the forest covered, mountain top paradise he called home.

Throughout life, her love of nature and wildlife has continued, but became suddenly deepened in 1999 with the companionship of a two-month-old Double Yellow-Headed Amazon parrot she fondly named Sydney. Their close relationship peaked Loretta's interest in what Sydney's life would be like, were he not captive. Hearing of a flock of wild parrots near her home in Southern California, Loretta developed an intense desire to locate and witness their lives in the wild for herself.

While bird photography in general, became Mike's focus, Loretta's primary interest remained with the wild parrots of Southern California and developing websites on both (tale-feathers.com and amazornia.us).

Mike and Loretta continue to enjoy making friends with the wild birds around them -- some of which are featured on this website and are birds that Mike and Loretta keep track of and visit frequently.