|
The Original All Roller Talk Discussion Board Archive >
Tony Visit
Tony Visit
Page:
1
fhtfire
151 posts
Jun 12, 2005
9:51 PM
|
Last week I had the oppurtunity to visit Tony. I was in Los Angeles doing some fire training with LA City Fire Department. Since I was in the area, I thought that it would be a good time to meet Tony and see some birds. Tony and I talked on the phone and set up the day. He picked me up at my Hotel at 5:30 in the morning last Tuesday. First we headed to Sal Estradas house.I got to see his set up and what he was breeding and looked at all his birds. He was such a nice person. I learned that Sal gave Tony some help with his start.When we showed up his wife had cooked up the best webos rancheros that I have ever had. Homade Refried beans and Spanish rice. Man was it good. It was so nice to hear the stories that Tony and Sal were telling about there years in Rollers. Sal has a Bucket Full of knowledge.
After we ate breakfast, we headed to Ed Verdugos house. He put up one of his kits and man was it rock'n and rolling. He had some very nice birds. He even had a yellow in the kit that was looking pretty good. Ed had a very nice set up. He had some other breeds of pigeons too. His kit boxes were very well built and his lofts were very clean. Ed being a retired US Forest Service Fire Captain...we had to talk a little about firefighting...LOL! He even got a nice UC Davis Fire Dept. Sweatshirt! Anyway...back to the birds. He then let out a couple more kits..his young birds and a kit of all yellows. His young birds looked real good too. Then all the kits came together and there were about 60 or so birds flying in one big kit...what a site to see! We just watched the birds and talked pigeons. It was such a fun day.
After we went to Eds house we headed back to Sal's house. Before I left..He brought out a photo book of some of the old time fanciers that he used to hang out with when he and Tony were getting there start. The photos of Cordiere (spelling?)and some of the other fanciers were really neat. It was nice to put names with faces. Sal had to get ready for work...so I thanked him for his hospitality and got in the car and headed to Tony's house. I could not wait to see the Ruby Rollers in person...feel them in my hand..and look at them up close. The whole time...we talked about birds. When we got to Tony's house...we looked at the web site and I read some posts...since I had not been on the website for 4 days because of my trip..man I missed so much!!LOL It was like I was a druggy ....I had to look at the web page and read the posts. to get my fix...LOL...After that we headed out to his back yard and there they were...the RUBY ROLLERS! Tony did not have a kit to fly since he is getting ready to move and the less birds the better. So he pulled some birds from his stock loft. I got to hold them in my hand...and man were those some nice birds. We put bird after bird in the viewing cages...man I just loved the look of his birds. YOu could tell they were all related. Scott Campbell loved the little mealy bar Ruby Roller hen that I have...and man he had a loft full those birds. The hens are little tiny things...perfect wedge shaped body..and had the look in the eye of total confidence. His cocks had the same look..but just a little bigger. Tony explained a little bit about each bird..and what he mates together to get certain characteristics. He has been working on the strain since the early nineties...and you can tell he put a lot of work into it. I wish that he had a kit to fly....but I have some his birds in my kit box...and I know what he has...But I have a few of his birds and I could imagine what a full kit looks like! I tell you what..I did not want to leave. He was breeding his last round..and I love his breeding set up. His birds are pretty tame birds...all I can say is that they feel like a perfect roller in the hand. There is only two other people that I know that can pick up a bird and tell me the whole story on that bird..without looking at notes and that is Scott Campbell and Chuck Roe. Tony...I feel is in the same group as the above mentioned fanciers. His hard work truly shows in his birds.
So the day was ending. Tony and I had planned to have lunch..but it was already about 3pm. I had to get back to the hotel and get to another Fire class and Tony was up to his elbows in work and real estate phone calls. So, we called it a day. Tony..it was a pleasure to meet you! You are a true fancier and that was a damn good day! It made me homesick...I had to wait another day before my flight left for Sacramento. I wanted to see my birds..LOL! Again, Tony..thanks for taking me around....you have a friend in me for life.
I also want to say that Tony...sent me 4 pair of his breeders to hold for him until he got settled in MO. I feel honored to be able to hold some of your birds for you. They will be in good hands! Again thanks! You need anything you let me know.
rock and ROLL
Paul Fullerton
|
Eagleview Lofts
Member
1 post
Jun 14, 2005
9:29 AM
|
I also had the privledge of visiting Tony"s Loft around March 2004, AS I only work a few miles from his home. Just like Paul, I was very impressed with his knowledge, set up and of course his typey birds. He flew a kit of 16 Ruby Rollers for my entertainment. While watching this kit fly, my jaw dropped opened and I found myself saying WOOOOOW on numerous occasions, while the Ruby Rollers performed. They rolled 15-45 feet deep, with lots of velocity, for approximately 45 minutes. They rolled extremely hard with eight to twelve birds all breaking simultaneously. After seeing these birds perform, I purchased a kit of ten young Ruby Rollers, right on the spot. Upon Arriving home with the Ten young Ruby Rollers, I Placed the cage on top of my work bench, inside of my garage and ran inside my home to get my wife. I was inside my home for approximately 15 minutes, While my wife was getting dressed. When we returned to the garage, we were shocked at what we saw. My German Shephard had torn the metal cage apart. There were two Ruby Rollers in the garage rafters, which I quickly snatched up. Feathers and blood was everywhere. Over the next six hours, I was able to locate four more birds, which left me with a total of six Ruby Rollers (four cocks, two hens). The other four were eatten by my dog, As I found the bands of the dead birds. At Fifty dollars a bird, this was definitely an expensive meal. I told Tony what happened and offered to buy more birds. He refused to take any money and allowed me to go into his Loft and pick a couple of breeders to borrow for a few months. I pumped a few rounds from these Breeders. I now have 15 Ruby Rollers in the air, (mixed in with two separate kits). I have been evaluating three families for the past two years. I am no expert by any means. However these Ruby Rollers have the other families BEAT HANDS DOWN. They roll hard, deep, frequent, come into the roll early and are easy to manage thus far. Tony has awesome birds (MY OPINION)and he went out of his way to help a newbie out. So you can see that it not all about money, Tony is trully a great example of a outstanding Rollerman. Just like you Paul, I am enjoying the Ruby Rollers and can't wait to get a full kit of Rubys in the air.
MIKE
Last Edited by Eagleview Lofts on Jun 14, 2005 10:24 AM
|
Ballrollers
26 posts
Jun 15, 2005
1:04 PM
|
So did you bury the dog nearby?? No really, I hate to hear about your birds. But thanks, guys, for the report on Tony's family of rollers. I think there are many of us who have wondered. Of course there is the usual skepticism about anyone who advertises rollers for sale. It's always better to judge others based on facts! Cliff
Last Edited by Ballrollers on Jun 15, 2005 2:00 PM
|
Post a Message
|
|
|