critter whisperer

Following on from the 'cutie' blip of a couple of days ago, I found one of the photos of younger son P, aged six, with his little 'cutie' mate.

He had, and still has,a very natural and calm way with critters of both the domestic and wild variety.
Our garden was a tad wild and backed on to bush so he would spend hours in both environments, sometimes bringing home the very unexpected. In the end he had a glass aquarium set up in his room with rocks, sand and leaves and 'visitors' would come and stay for a day or so while he drew pictures of them and read books and encyclopedias ( I sometimes think that may be why he decided learning to read was a good idea!!)
Then he would return them to where he had found them.

Oh and while all this was going on, Houdini, the cockatiel would sit on his shoulder and in the morning share his breakfast cornflakes.

This was taken 21 years ago!