Photographs were taken on February 28, 2026.
About ten years ago I kept an aquarium at home and had a small budgerigar.
A lot of time has passed since then, but the affection for fish and birds never really went away. I still think about setting up an aquarium again — this time a marine one. Coral, saltwater, real depth. But without a permanent place to live, that dream has to wait. For now, it lives only in my head.
Today, however, I couldn’t drive past two large, incredibly bright parrots. Another quiet dream of mine.
They were sitting outside a family-owned construction store, completely free — no chains, no visible restraints. In the evening, the family brings them outside to feed them. I asked if they were afraid the birds might fly away. They smiled and said no. Unfortunately, my English ran out right there, and I never learned why they were so confident.
The first one was the magnificent Blue-and-yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna).
— 🦜 One of the largest parrots in the world, reaching 80–90 cm including the tail.
— 🎨 Deep cobalt-blue wings and back, bright yellow chest, and a greenish forehead.
— 🧠 Highly intelligent, capable of learning words and complex behaviors.
— 🤝 Strongly social, often forming long-term pair bonds.
— ⏳ Lifespan of 40–60 years, sometimes even longer in good conditions.
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A detail I find fascinating: the white facial skin around their eyes is lined with thin black feather stripes. These tiny feathers can move slightly, giving the macaw a surprising range of expression. They almost have facial “mimics.”
And loud? That word doesn’t even begin to describe it.
Their calls cut straight through the air. They moved quickly along the perch, confidently balancing while eating dragon fruit and corn, and I kept firing shots, trying to keep up.
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Later, I believe the owner’s son brought out another beautiful species for me to photograph.
This one was a Blue-fronted Amazon (Amazona aestiva), one of the most well-known Amazon parrots.
Native to South America — Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina — they inhabit savannas, open woodlands, and forest edges.
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What makes them remarkable:
— 🧠 Exceptional memory and vocal ability; they imitate speech with surprising clarity.
— 🎭 Strong personality — affectionate at times, but independent and territorial.
— 🔊 A powerful natural voice that carries over long distances in the wild.
— ⏳ Also long-lived, often 40–60 years.
— 💚 In nature, they feed on fruits, nuts, seeds, and fresh vegetation.
Unlike the macaw’s dramatic presence, the Amazon felt calmer, more observant.
Its eyes were incredibly intelligent — steady, analytical. It reminded me of my old budgerigar, even the green tones were similar. There was something familiar and almost nostalgic in that gaze.
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Amazon parrots are known to form long-term pair bonds and maintain complex social structures within their flocks. They are not just colorful birds — they are individuals with distinct temperaments and emotional depth.
I felt genuinely lucky today.
Two beautiful species.
No cages.
Open air.
Natural light.
Sometimes dreams don’t arrive as possessions — they arrive as moments. And for a few minutes, that was more than enough. ✨ 📸 🍃
I write my texts myself, correct mistakes and translate via ChatGPT (which is not a violation on Hive)! All photos were taken by me personally - I am a beginner photographer, so I ask professionals not to judge strictly.
Thank you for sharing these moments with me! Until new stories and new holidays! ✌️.
Camera 📷: Sony Alpha 7 IV full-frame
Lens 🔭: Sony FE 70-200mm F: 2.8 GM OSS II
Lens 🔭: Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
Lens 🔭: Sony FE 24–70mm f/2.8 GM II
Processed 🛠: Lightroom
