A beak in time's eye

A few days ago I had an unexpected encounter with this sulphur-crested cockatoo. If you are a regular reader here you'll know these large birds are frequent visitors, especially at this time of the year. And despite their size they can be quite wary. But not this one.
No, this splendid looker decided I might just be the sort of toy it was looking for to while away some time with. A cunning tactician of the first order too because at start of play, it knew I was in the garden without my camera.

Cockatoos aren't known for their quiet or melodious voice. Far from it, they like to screech especially when flying and probably sound much like a pterodactyl dinosaur once did. But again, not this one. This one knew how to stay quiet whilst stalking its toy.

I knew there was movement within the canopy of a tree directly behind me but that's usual around here so I hadn't looked up. But when I started moving back and forth between two garden beds I got the sense of being followed. Looking up I saw a flash of white tail fly over me, then land on the shed roof before flying back over and into the tree again. Naturally I asked "where did you come from?" wishing I'd not left my camera indoors I carried on with what I was
doing. A few minutes later it started raining twigs and leaves upon me so I yelled "Oi!" and the the beak pruning of the tree eased for a little while.
My first stand out memory of being up close to parrots was the day we had a family outing to a zoo. I'm on the right and would have been either eight or nine. I can remember hoping the colourful Macaw would be put on my shoulder, instead a 'plain' green parrot was placed there and the Macaw placed on my sister. For some reason the Macaw flew over to land on my brother he began moving forward in surprise only to be told to stay still so the photo could be taken! Look at his grimmaced smile.
Meanwhile the green one had taken to pulling on the ribbon trim at the neck of my dress. That's a forced smile I'm also wearing for the camera. I can still hear and feel that beak working against my neck.

And it's that memory that came quickly to mind when the sulphur-crested cockatoo decided to swoop down to the ground and walk on up to me the other morning. It came right up and rubbed its head against my leg. Wish I'd a photo of that moment, I know what thoughts were running through my head: it's not going to climb up my leg is it? (they use their beak to climb up tree trunks) ...maybe someone's lost their pet? ...does it want to be rescued and returned to wherever, how am I going to do that? ...why haven't I got my camera? So I told it to stay where it was and I'd go get some apple and my camera. When I came back it was by the back door and had been joined by another which thankfully stayed put on the tree stump.
The apple was enjoyed and I got to keep my fingers for camera clicking. After the apple was finished it flew to the roof and we watched each other for a little while before its friend called and away they flew together ...