The area doesn’t belong to anyone/anything that can’t make it theirs. If the human shows up and wants it, then that’s nature in action, bub. Ain’t nothing that belongs ‘naturally’ to them or us. The human getting what he wants is natural.
It’s amazing how many conservationists must be creationists, since they apparently believe humanity to be a separate (and lesser) creation from the rest of the planet.
I must have quiet to sleep. That’s just me. I typically sleep with a pillow over my head to muffle the occasional bird or car going by. The robins and blue jays begin around 4 am here in the Atlanta area, and I can’t stand it.
One Saturday morning, far earlier than I wanted to get up, it seemed the entire county’s bird population decided to let loose right outside my window. Pillows didn’t help, and after 20 minutes I went ballistic. I ran to the window, tore aside the curtains, threw up the window and started yelling to all those inconsiderate avian bastards that I’m this close to opening fire with my son’s BB gun. These threats, plus the sight of a fat naked man with wild hair leaning out the window had virtually no effect on the situation.
Because there, on a branch about 24 inches away from my nose, sat a baby Barred owl, looking quizzically at me over his shoulder. It was amazing. All the local birds were hopping and flying around making such a racket over this little guy. After some time, we could hear his mom (or dad) hooting nearby, and others as well. I woke up the kids, got the camera and video camera and proceeded to document his torment over the next 30 minutes. He sat calmly while all the robins, jays, cardinals, etc… came to voice their disapproval.
He eventually flew to a tree out in front, where he met up with 2 of his nestmates. We suspect that that morning was first flight for all of the babies, and certainly they’re a concern for the rest of the community.
Hopefully when they have babies, it will be in someone else’s yard!
Whippoorwills? Gah!
I went camping with my son’s scout group last summer. Sitting around the fire by the lake, chatting with the dads was great. Then a Whippoorwill started up around 9pm. Cool! I said. I haven’t heard one of those since I was a kid! I love this!
Experienced Camping Dad™ said “not after a while, you won’t.”
And he was right. That damn bird sat 40 feet away all night whipping and willing. I bundled all my extra clothes on my head and never got a wink of sleep.
The children saved this bird, for had it not been for them, I surely would have emptied a clip or two in his direction!