WHY KEEP SECRETS?
In pigeon racing i reveal all that i know-no secrets with me! I have opened it all up in my writings: good/bad and indifferent. At the end of the day,it is the personal practice of methods,systems and facts that make the impact on the birds. Nobody ever replicates what you do in reality,so why covert secrets? I do feel that many top fanciers aim to enlighten others. The difficulty lies in interpretation and application of an exact practical system. Pigeons respond to an individual loft,environment and crucially the fancier. You can obtain the mans birds but not the man who raced them! I believe the condition of the bird ,when entered is the key factor to results.Many ways lead to the perfect condition of bird inside and out. Wise to try and master how to do it with the mixed bunch that are pigeons.
Jim Emerton.
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CURIOSITY ABOUT THE NATURAL WORLD.
Pigeons as part of nature invite us to observe,ponder and study them. Like many other lifeforms,we need to know how they tick. In my pram.nature was a magnet that ignited a fascination that would endure over time. Great men have been inspired by say birds of paradise or blackcocks at the lek. At 68 i feel the power of nature every day that i walk in it,from the humble sparrow to the vainglorious peacock. When living in the concrete jungle ,a wild bird can light up your life. To embrace raw nature is better than being glued to the screen,yet Attenborough does a wonderful job in its presentation.
Jim Emerton.
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WHAT YOU LEARN IN THE WILDERNESS.
Surrounded by the elements,wild creatures and raw nature you touch base. The primal,instinctual self asserts itself,as you say goodbye to the concrete jungle. Alone in the pulse,and cradle of life,the imagination soars,and you may feel a spiritual connection with life. How the brain reacts is individual,yet i am empowered by the presence of natural beauty,and the sounds in the orchestra of nature. An artist,or romantic may sharpen his craft and nurture his sensibility. Wise to forget technology,take a walk on the wild side and immerse yourself in wild remote places,far from the rapid pulse of city man.
Jim Emerton.
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THE HIGHEST RANKING RACE.
One race stands out at the top echelon of the sport. It is the annual Barcelona International. Good and wise to enter this ,on at least one occasion.With it being so grand and large,why not have a go. It is simple,all birds in the clock are good ones,due to the fact that it is an endurance race for birds of great constitution and stamina. Multiple Barcelona birds can be bred from with impunity.An ideal idea,which will not happen in practice,would be a massive ,united send from uk organisations. The politics between clubs will negate this from becoming a reality,as there is more to the fabric of the sport than entering birds. However the purist puts the racing side of the game first. I do feel that more International races need to be organised by top clubs. It will be what it will be in race reality.
Jim Emerton.
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BEAUTIFUL BIRDS.
Nice to think that some of your birds are beautiful to the minds eye. A subjective process,it varies from person to person and with the same pigeon. Good birds always look lovely do they not? In my strain have been lovely dark cheqs ,which are refined with lovely silky feather-does not mean that they are any good for racing or breeding.As with people the key traits of importance are internal-beauty is skin -deep only.Hard racing will show how good you and the birds are ,not pretty pictures. I do not like big blue cocks for marathon events-the archetypal sprint pigeon. However i do love all nature.
Jim Emerton.
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NOW THAT THE LEAVES ARE FALLING.
Many of the birds are looking shiny and brilliant in new plumage. At this time i like to see them out daily,to sharpen and harden them up for the winter,as you want the immune system to be boosted. This process is good for the birds-avoid fog,as they may hit wires. We delay racer pairing until March and stock til say Feb,as i like spring mated and hatched birds. We work with nature rather than against it.This induces harmony in yourself and the loft. Time to place your birds into separate sexes,by observing them behave and coo. All birds continue to grow and will need plenty of proteinaceous food to work on this. Time to study and reflect on your plans.
Jim Emerton.
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