“Tame birds sing of freedom. Wild birds fly.”― John Lennon
There are many, around the world, who like to hear sweet songs of birds kept as pets - sometimes in cages.
Do we ever think of the sweet song is really a song or a wail for freedom - sad notes from the bird's very soul?
To me, a bird signified freedom because it can fly - of it's own will. Which picture would you prefer from the ones below - the proud, free bird on the left - isn't it?

Collage created by me with my own click and a free image from this source
When @nelinoeva posted a challenge for a free themed pic of a bird, it obviously meant that any bird pic without a specific theme would work. However, the picture of the gull she has posted - on it' wing and in carefree flight, got me thinking because it seems to symbolize the word 'free'.
Pet trade thrives in the world. Many countries have banned trading live birds but it still thrives. Here are just a couple of examples...

New article on caged birds Source

News article about illegal pet trade Source
As an amateur wildlife photography enthusiast, whenever I get an opportunity, I try to educate local people about conserving nature. I, along with a few other friends also try to keep a watch on people catching and caging birds.
However, we, on the HIVE platform, must spread the message to stop caging birds and stop cruelty to birds and animals.
I hope this article helps to spread the message.
Now, without further ado, here is my entry of #SMAP 99 - of the bird that symbolizes a proud free individual for me...

What do you think? Do you like the pic and agree with my appeal about caging ? Please feel free to share your comments and opinions.
A big thank you for support
Thanks to c/hive-106444 (Feathered friends community) for providing this wonderful opportunity to present my experience and photographs. Thanks to @barbara-orenya and @melinda010100 for all the support and encouragement to this community. Special thanks to @nelinoeva also for starting the Species hunt initiative. My posts are not exactly in that format but have all the necessary info and Good original Photos. Further guidance will be very much welcome.
Thanks to HIVE for this wonderful platform. Thanks also to @adalger and @dna.org for encouraging me by recognizing some of my posts as worthy of Densifying nature project.
Further, thanks to Amazing nature community for welcoming me and showing me their love on some of my posts.
Note: All images and collages in this blog are created by me, based on photos clicked by me personally and/or free vector images from Pixabay. Any other sources, if used, are indicated as image credits below the picture.
Quotes used, if not credited, are either from unknown authors or are proverbial old sayings.