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Bex Hall > Art Projects > Birds in the hands

Birds in the hands

February 5, 2021

Abby & Gibbs Homing Pigeons

On the night of May 22, 2012 I turned on the floodlight in the backyard to see about storm damage. What I found was a pigeon on the tall fence instead. He was soaked and exhausted looking. He allowed me to get close enough to capture and I brought him in and borrowed the dog’s crate for a makeshift cage. I figured I’d allow him to dry out and then let him go the next day.

He had a band on his leg. A google search with the alphanumeric ID resulted in an owner located several hundred miles away. Turns out this pigeon had been in a 600 mile race and had gotten off course from the inclement weather.

And thus began my venture into the world of homing pigeons.

I never heard back from the owner so the next day I sat the crate, door ajar, on the back porch in the sunlight and waited. He had eaten seed and drank water. He seemed okay. I watched as he flew west and disappeared across the Ohio river.

I continued to learn more and became fascinated with these birds. That autumn I found one for sale at a local trade days fair and that’s where I met Gina and John Bender. John, a pigeon expert of 50 years. He holds titles in state and world competitions for racing and roller pigeons. He’s even written a book about his experiences which you can buy from Amazon here.

He explained the pigeon I bought was called a Blue Barless – no bars on its wings. Later, he gifted me with a light black grizzle – the white with black tipped feathers. They were a joy to have around.

Today’s watercolor is of my daughter and me holding them for a photo. This is Day 5 of the 28 Feathered Friends art challenge and also an entry in The 100 Day Project.

Filed Under: Art Projects Tagged With: feathered friends, the 100 day project

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About Bex

 

Bex Hall

Her writing has appeared in various online and print publications, most recently in Kerning, a literary magazine, and in the Stories of Hope Collection in Transplant Living. Her artwork has appeared and sold through the Grayson Gallery. She blogs here about creative life and creates in Studio BE overlooking the Ohio River. Her work in progress is a memoir about the secret life of objects.

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  • The 100 Day Project

    50 short stories in 100 days.

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  • Creative practice goals:

    Show up every day behind the pen, the brush, or the lens and share my work.

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