From Window to Tail: Life Lessons, Bird Care, & Creative Reflection
- stephaniegerbrandt
- Jan 30
- 4 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
A Story From the Past ... and a Season of Care Now
Some stories stay with you for years. My very first PepTalk podcast episode soon to be published on YouTube shares one of those moments. It happened a few years ago — my lovebird Baby Ting flew into a window, mirroring a season of my life in ways I couldn’t fully understand at the time. It’s tender, reflective, and deeply emotional, and editing the episode this week reminded me how much those past experiences shape the way we approach life today.
Episode 001 is now available for viewing: PepTalk Podcast Episode 001
You may also explore more art and bird content here on my YouTube channel.
Lately, my life has been filled with lessons from birds. While that story at the window comes from the recent past, I’m currently walking through a different season — caring for another lovebird recovering from a tail injury.
Caring for his tail injury has been one of the most trying bird care experiences I’ve faced. There was no one to help — the bleeding kept returning, and the store bought collars I tried worked for a few days. Even the vet could offer little beyond some adjustments to his environment that I had followed, and the possibility of a hormone shot, something I wanted to avoid at all costs.
The injury had persisted over nearly a year, leaving only three tail feathers. I truly believe it was God’s guidance that led me to design the collar in just the way it needed to be. I had asked the Holy Spirit for insight, and that guidance in the past few months made all the difference in helping my Chewy-TooToo heal. This proves yet again in my life, that God cares about all the details of our lives.
The collar was delicate, controversial, and each iteration took hours to perfect: it needed to be lightweight, non-toxic, durable, and restrictive enough to prevent him from reaching the new, developing pin feathers — all while still allowing him to eat, drink, and move safely. It was essentially a bioengineering challenge! In addition, I had to rethink his cage setup, his access to food and water, and monitor him constantly to prevent further injury.
Finally we achieved a workable solution; yanking and pulling as he might, he couldn't access his rump nor destroy the collar itself ... and oh the looks he would give me, knowing full well that I was able to remove it, but didn't. I learned to offer him paper shredding toys to redirect his frustration of not being able to access area to relieve himself of the intense itch, where dozens of blood feathers were safely developing.
Every step required careful observation, constant adjustments, and learning things I’d never imagined about bird behaviour, anatomy, and recovery. Looking back, it was incredibly demanding — physically, mentally, and emotionally — but it was also deeply rewarding to see him finally heal and flourish.
Watching him heal and slowly weaning him off his collar, reminds me how attention, patience, and listening are essential for growth — whether in animals, creative projects, or our own lives. Healing rarely happens in a straight line, and progress often comes in quiet stages.
Life Lessons from My Flock
Living with birds teaches lessons you can’t get anywhere else. Over the years, my flock has shown me how to:
Observe carefully: Every squawk, wing flap, or preen tells a story. Listening closely reveals what’s truly needed.
Celebrate small victories: A healed feather, a bird returning to the perch, a new trick learned — all milestones matter.
Adapt gracefully: Birds remind me that plans aren’t always linear. Flexibility is as important as intention.
Practice presence: Simply being there, sharing space, offering reassurance — often makes the biggest difference.
These lessons are surprisingly universal. They apply to creative work, teaching, content creation, and even how we relate to people around us.
Creative Reflection and Intentional Growth
As an artist, these experiences also inform my studio work. The care and attention I give my flock translates into:
The way I approach pet portrait commissions — deeply personal, sensitive to each animal’s personality
How I design my spiritually themed paintings — patience, observation, details, and subtlety in layering ideas
The structure of my creative projects — letting inspiration develop naturally rather than forcing it
Life lessons, care, and creativity are intertwined. By being present with the small, daily moments, I’m better able to create art that truly connects with others.
A Peek Behind the Studio: Pet Portraits
Speaking of creating with care, an idea recently came to me while reflecting on my bird’s healing process. I intend to produce a promo video for my pet portrait work — highlighting not just the process and final painting, but the love, observation, and connection that goes into each commission. This is more than just a picture... it’s an encapsulation of care, personality, and presence.
[Pet Portrait Promo Video will be embedded here once published]
This upcoming video on my YouTube channel will showcase how my approach as an artist who understands the world of companion birds and cares for them sets my work apart. Every brushstroke is guided by a deep knowledge of the creatures I paint — their quirks, their spirit, and the love they inspire in their people.
Reflection and Invitation
Editing my PepTalk episodes and caring for my birds in real time has been a reminder: growth, whether in life, art, or relationships, happens in stages. Some lessons repeat, some moments echo, and some surprises teach you more than any plan could.
If you’ve ever cared for an animal, guided a companion bird back to full health, or nurtured a creative project or fragile season in life, I’d love to hear from you.
What have your experiences taught you about patience, observation, and presence? Share your reflections in the comments below or hit reply to connect directly — I always love hearing from readers.
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