Saturday, April 2, 2011

The Point Is...

Juvenile American Robin.

The point is, the young people of the world! They have a right to be able to go outside and breathe clean air. They have a right to clean fresh water, for drinking and recreation! They have a right to able to see a bird...in the wild, free and flying!

These are things too many of us take for granted. I've been very upset about the state of the world and the people that THINK they are running it. I've been writing letters, some answered, some unanswered and a few answered by that moron, Senator Rob Portman of Ohio. But I digress. As I said, the point is we need to do everything we can to get a younger generation involved in the environment. We were all gung-ho back in the sixties and seventies. What happened? We all got busy with day to day life and forgot about all that we fought for.

Bird groups need to be more open to younger birders. ALL of us need to pay more attention to kids that show any interest in the natural world. Drag them outside if you have to, there might be something that sparks their interest. Show them something that you remember from your youth. You never know what can happen...

They might yell at you at first, like this Caspian Tern...

But if you show them a different way of looking at things, they might understand.
Wood Ducks understand.
Feed the youth and they will learn!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Kind of pointless...


That's how I feel about this blog right now. Only a few comments from my regulars on the last post, which I thought was bringing up a very important issue. Esmerelda stated how I feel..."Fiddling while Rome burns."

It's obvious that I will never make contact with the people that can change things. I'm not a millionaire or do I own a big corporation. Those folks don't read silly blogs about birds. And it's very clear that they don't care.

I received a reply to an email I sent Ohio Senator Rob Portman. He doesn't read your letters. Nor does his staff. They send out generic replies thanking you for your support. He let me know, once again, how wasteful the EPA and their regulations are. According to him, we need big business in Ohio, not nature.

I may be back someday...or not.

Thanks for stopping by. Go visit a park while you have time.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Who Needs the EPA?

If you're viewing this blog, I think you will agree that this Black-and-White Warbler is a beautiful bird worth saving.

Right now, I am beyond angry. I wish I was an eloquent writer and could express my feelings in a concise and tactful way. But I'm just Dave, a birder and lover of all of nature.

But for how much longer? If you have read this blog or others similar to it, you are aware of the current attack on what we love. The highly intelligent individuals that have been elected to rule this land are hell bent on destroying it. "Deregulation" is there theme. "Big corporations know whats best for the world and we should let them take care of us." What do you think would happen if they dismantled the EPA? Do you really think the economy would improve? Do you believe that your current state of living would be better? How about that wildlife refuge you love to visit? Will it still be there. or will there be a coal mine, an oil well...or wind turbines?

I'm always amazed at the number of birders out there. So many polls claim that our group is one of the largest outdoor activity groups in the nation. And we all seem to have blinders on. "As long as they don't touch "MY" park, who cares." If you don't so something now, we'll all lose.

Doesn't anyone remember DDT? If it wasn't for the persistence of Rachel Carson and her book "Silent Spring" I might never have seen one Bald Eagle let alone a dozen in a weekend at Magee Marsh. Do you really believe ridding our nation of the EPA and regulation and letting big business do as they please will be good for nature?

Please write your Senators and Congressmen.

There is strength in numbers and YOUR voice will count!

Don't let this be our last sunset...