#kristinepaulsenphotography

[flashtheparrotlet]

I have a teenager on my hands! December 8th was Flash’s 13th hatch day! I still can’t quite wrap my head around the fact that this feathery little bundle of happiness, hilarity, and pure joy has been by my side for THIRTEEN YEARS. I say this every year, and honestly quite a lot throughout the entire 365 days that march on by on the regular, but I swear, my heart grows bigger with each passing moment he’s in my life. Flash fills me with such immense love for such a tiny thing - sometimes it’s overwhelming (but only in the best way possible). We celebrated by putting up lights outside and the Christmas tree inside, he got to play with the ornament boxes (his favorite!), and enjoyed warming his feathery little bum on the lights (as is his annual tradition). To top it off, he got to feast on broccoli, enjoyed all sorts of cuddles and pets, and wound down his night with snuggles and kisses against our necks. Oh Flash man, my little pookie doo, you sweet schnookie boy - I love you with all my heart and more. Happy hatch day, Flashy Pants! #kristinepaulsenphotography #canon #dslr #noniphone #pacificparrotlet #pacificparrotletsofinstagram #petbird #parrotsofinstagram #parrotlet #parrotletsofinstagram #birdsofig #christmasbirdie #ilovemybird #birdnerd #christmastree🎄 #mybabybird (at Missoula, Montana) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5_NL1RFTYD/?igshid=6gpjtq1xnlhl

[flashtheparrotlet]

I am so thankful that 12 years ago today this bright and beautiful little bundle of baby birdie goodness hatched into this world and eventually made his way to me, and subsequently into every recess of my heart. He may be small, but he packs so much joy, humor and sweetness into his 4 1/2-inch tall body, and shares it all, both with me, and others who love him too. I cannot believe he’s 12! To celebrate he got a big bath this morning, lots of neck scritches, cuddle time in my hair, a trip to the kitchen to whisper sweet nothings to his longtime love the garbage can, fresh spinach, some bites of a piece of popcorn, and for dessert he’ll be treated to vanilla yogurt. He’s a very happy little birdie and I love his little self with my entire heart. 💙 #kristinepaulsenphotography #canon #dslr #noniphone #flashtheparrotlet #parrotlet #parrotletsofinstagram #parrotsofinstagram #birdsofig #petbird #birdmodel #birdnerd #happyhatchday #ilovemybird #pacificparrotlet #pacificparrotletsofinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/BrJW9x0HgwS/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ahd7fhhjnu3s

[flashtheparrotlet]

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Just a little video I made for fun of some of the reasons I love this tiny guy so very much.

[flashtheparrotlet]

Snow bird. ❄️ (Don’t worry. No Flashes were harmed in the making of this image. He was only outside for a total of 30 seconds for this shot and was perfectly content to sit on that branch.) #kristinepaulsenphotography #canon #dslr #noniphone #flashtheparrotlet #pacificparrotlet #pacificparrotletsofinstagram #birdsofig #petbird #parrotlet #parrotsofig #missoulamt #winterinautumn https://www.instagram.com/p/BqAZF4ZHrv8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1p4fmp193agu

[flashtheparrotlet]

Merry Christmas from mister Flash and me! Beautiful bouquet from Susie and Katie (thank you again!), and gorgeous florals by Habitat Floral. #flashtheparrotlet #kristinepaulsenphotography #canon #dslr #noniphone #christmasbouquet #parrotsofinstagram #parrot #parrotlet #parrotletsofinstagram #pacificparrotlet #pacificparrotletsofinstagram #birdsofig #birdnerd (at Missoula, Montana) https://www.instagram.com/p/Br0dj51nhd9/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=14fczo2cvr1en

[flashtheparrotlet]

Somebirdie was super stoked (and super floof!) to hang out amongst the baby raspberry leaves this afternoon. He was so excited he kept telling them to give him a kiss - check out my IG story to see that in action. 🤣😘 #kristinepaulsenphotography #canon #dslr #noniphone #springtimeinmissoula #flashtheparrotlet #parrotlet #pacificparrotlet #parrotsofinstagram #birdsofig #petbird

[flashtheparrotlet]

Happy 4th of July to you all from my little (red), white and blue guy! #flashtheparrotlet #kristinepaulsenphotography #canon #dslr #noniphone #independenceday2018 #americanflag #parrotlet #parrotletlover #pacificparrotlet #parrotsofinstagram #parrotletsofinstagram #petbird #birdsofig #birdnerd #starsandstripes #4thofjuly

[flashtheparrotlet]

This little guy is the ripe old age of ELEVEN today! I can’t quite fathom that he’s been my best little buddy for that long! He is the sweetest little soul to have graced my life, and fills it constantly with laughs (his own and mine!), cuddles, kisses, hilarity, and love. (Just to name a few things.) I did this photo shoot of him today, and he had a blast. He ran hither, thither and yon peeping happily, would fly onto my head every 4 or so shots and then scramble down my hair to demand pets, flung kisses my way as he “worked it” for the camera, when I would inevitably bust out laughing he’d laugh too which made me laugh even harder, and afterwards he was treated to a few bites of birthday mashed potatoes for being such a good supermodel. I hope for many, many more wonderful years with my sweet Flash. #flashtheparrotlet #kristinepaulsenphotography #canon #dslr #parrot #parrotlet #parrotsofinstagram #pacificparrotlet #petbird #birdsofig #birdnerd #happyhatchday

[flashtheparrotlet]

The smoke has been seriously putting me in a major depressive funk. So I figured Flash and I would just enjoy some camera playtime and have fun messing around with lights if we're stuck inside. Fittingly, he fell in love with one of my flashes and was whispering sweet nothings to it during our entire shoot. So silly. #flashtheparrotlet #canon #dslr #noniphone #kristinepaulsenphotography #dramaticlight #modelbird #bathroomphotoshoots #heknowshowtoworkit #parrot #parrotlet #pacificparrotlet #petbird #birdsofig

[flashtheparrotlet]

The past several days (actually months) have been pretty challenging for me personally. But I generally don't like to talk about that stuff because that's no fun to hear about, right? However, I wanted to share something that a friend of mine shared with me, which I found to be helpful and grounding and a reminder to put things in perspective: "As long as you are breathing there is more right with you than wrong with you." It was a good reminder. Especially with this little fellow around. Everything is always right with this little guy nearby. When I was photographing him the other day playing in the spring flowers, tasting the grass, picking up and playing with the tiniest of twigs and maple leaf seeds, I couldn't help but laugh and laugh and laugh. And boy did that ever feel blissful. Anyway. Long novel-like post to say I'm grateful for many things, most of all this tiny guy and the breaths I get to take with him every day. #flashtheparrotlet #parrotlet #parrot #pacificparrotlet #pet #petbird #bird #birdsofig #springtime #springtimevibes #springflowers #floraandfauna #kristinepaulsenphotography

[flashtheparrotlet]

It's the littlest things that make me the happiest. This is a wee Flash feather. 🐦 Happy Friday! #kristinepaulsenphotography #canon #dslr #noniphone #tinyfeather #littlethingsinlife #parrotletfeather

[flashtheparrotlet]

The biggest little raspberry thief ever. Ironically, Flash hates raspberries (because, weirdo). But, like a toddler, he must touch all the things with his little eraser tongue. #flashtheparrotlet #kristinepaulsenphotography #parrotletsofinstagram #parrotsofinstagram #parrotlet #pacificparrotlet #petbird #birdsofinstagram #birdsofig #birdnerd #ilovemybird #bowlfullofraspberries #raspberriesfordays #growyourownfood #gardenfresh

[flashtheparrotlet]

I can’t even begin to express just how incredibly grateful and relieved I am that Flash is still with me today. We had a terrible scare last evening (you can read about it in my stories) that basically resulted in Flash getting very, very sick, me staying up into the wee hours desperately trying to figure out what I could do to help him, and lots of monitoring of his basic functions to see if he was improving. Which he did, thank goodness. (And thank you to everyone who sent him and me well-wishes! That was so kind and caring and sweet of you all!) I know sometimes people probably think I’m silly for loving a little ol’ bird as much as I do, but even though he’s tiny, he occupies such a giant space in my heart and brings me so much joy there’s no way to ever quantify it through mere words. Birds are such fragile little things, and I’ve been on the other side of it where they don’t improve and it’s basically the worst thing ever. I’m so lucky, and Flash is so lucky, that he came out the other side unscathed. It’s been pouring rain here most of the day, so we’ve had a lot of time to spend together as I’ve worked and watched him. Every little peep he’s made today, every little snuggle and kiss and giggle and acrobatic hop he’s done has made me even gladder, if that’s possible, that his liveliness and comedy and joy are still very much here. I’m pinching myself I’m so happy. What an amazing little nugget he is. #kristinepaulsenphotography #canon #dslr #noniphone #flashtheparrotlet #parrotlet #pacificparrotlet #petbird #birdsofig #parrotsofinstagram #ilovemybird