Amazons Moving to Oceanside?

I was walking my dogs early one morning, something I do most every day. This particular day we were walking along Pacific St, along the beach. I kept hearing a soft voice, “Pretty Baby”…. It echoed. I thought my imagination was working overtime.

There, I heard it again. I looked up to find six beautiful Amazon Parrots sitting on a telephone wire. One obviously had been someone’s pet at some point in time. He was quite a talker. Anyone passing by probably thought I was crazy as my excitement showed. Standing there, leashes in one hand, gesturing for one of the birds to come a little closer. “Step up”, I gave the command.

The bird had tasted freedom and wanted nothing to do with me. He squawked a long squeal and off he flew. The others followed. However, they did not go far. Daily, after that I could hear the birds. You cannot mistake the sound of the Amazon Parrott. Once you recognize their sound, you will easily see the birds.

Speaking with a resident I was told that several years before a few birds had escaped the confines of a pet store. They have actually been multiplying in the wild. The full flock is up to twelve. They have split the flock and six remain in Oceanside and six have located to Carlsbad. They can all be seen flying together from time to time.

Our morning walks soon became a routine in my day. Nearly every morning around 7:00 am and every evening before the sun sets, I make it a point to walk the dogs. I have not failed to see the birds. They flew so low one evening that I could almost reach up and touch them as they flew past my upstairs balcony.

Next time you are out walking along Pacific St., be sure to look up. And if you hear a sweet soft voice “Pretty Baby”…. It most likely will not be your imagination.

Azafran Cuban Cuisine, Oceanside CA

It’s always nice to find a new place to eat. I love ethnic food, and in Oceanside you can find many interesting places to dine. Azafran, Cuban food is a great place to eat. The food is wonderful and the servings are enormous. You can share the dishes or count on bringing home leftovers. There are delicious meat entrees, and plenty of chicken, fish and vegetarian dishes can also be found… try the sampler plate and you may want to share. And don’t forget to sip on an oh, so delicious Mojitos… yum!

For those of you who would like to have a little Cuba at home, here is a recipe for the Mojitos.

Hint: The trick to getting the flavor right, is to crush the mint so the scent and flavor will be released…This recipe was found on tasteofcuba.com

Mojito (this is an original authentic recipe from Havana Cuba)
1 teaspoon powdered sugar
Juice from 1 lime (2 ounces)
4 mint leaves
1 sprig of mintHavana Club white Rum (2 ounces)
2 ounces club soda

There are countless recipes for the Mojito (pronounced moh-HEE-toh), but this version is for the one Hemingway himself enjoyed at the Mojito’s place of birth: La Bodeguita del Medio in Havana, Cuba. If you are throwing a Cuban theme party (Havana night themed party), plan on serving mojitos. Place the mint leaves into a long mojito glass (often called a “collins” glass) and squeeze the juice from a cut lime over it. You’ll want about two ounces of lime juice, so it may not require all of the juice from a single lime. Add the powdered sugar, then gently smash the mint into the lime juice and sugar. Add crushed ice, rum and stir. Top off with the club soda. Garnish with a mint sprig.