If the Birds Leave, Should I go? (Photo-Story Featuring MGC Birds)
Posted: Saturday, September 17, 2011
by Suzi Gravenstuk
http://www.suzi-gravenstuk.blogspot.com
I used to be intimidated by birds. For some reason, their little beady eyes seemed like dead pools to me. If we must analyze why—most likely it was because I watched Alfred Hitchcock’s, “The Birds”, when I was around 6 years old, then watched it again and again as I grew older. I was equally horrified at each watching.
So, I was totally unprepared for my love affair upon moving to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
The coastal birds and the coastal people make up an interesting lateral/co-existing in peace type of environment. Some of the coast bird species, I believe, are becoming too trusting.Not being a scientific person, I have developed a strange dependency on the birds as my best environmental alert, a distinctly different gauge/or channel for the Weather Channel, CNN or other man made media. Freshly into the environmental impact of the
BP Oil crisis, I noted one day that our coast birds seemed to disappear overnight.Nothing could scare me so much. The fear felt like actual physical pain, yes, even in the region of my heart. Temporarily, I was so frightened I felt suspended between the present and some unknown time and place.
The Coast birds are gone.
Vanished. Should we go home and pack? Should we get the family out of “Dodge” as quickly as possible? Thinking back now, I remember running across some blogs that indicated that we would likely all die in a short amount of time.Thank God they were absent a little less than a week. To further twist the knife in the hearts of residents, we were locked out of our harbor and fishing piers.
It seemed like eternity. It was as lonesome as I have been since the deadly quiet following Hurricane Katrina. We were lost. Not only were the birds gone, residents were prevented from fishing. The truly sad part in this is that for many on the coast, fishing is not a sport, but food on the table for hungry mouths.
After moving to the coast I acquired my real estate license and worked in real estate a few years. Along with the real estate license came the need to promote our area as well as specific properties. I developed new trade tools—photo blogging being one of them. The Gulf Coast is most definitely a great place to hone ones skills in digital photography.
By no means would anyone consider me a professional photographer, but I receive a great deal of satisfaction from being graced with a photo that will likely survive me, and possibly live long enough to show future generations what is was like back when the Coast Birds and the Coast Residents lived in parallel harmony.
Under environmental and cirumstantial duress I have at times played with the idea of leaving the coast for surer ground. Can I separate myself from the coast birds? No. Why would I trade them for a possibility of a different kind of calamity? We are assured that we will die someday. Indeed. Why not enjoy the essence of life when we can, where we can?
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Top-level comments on this article: (7 total)Good article- great pictures Suz- I especially liked the last line....Always- EllaThanks Ella. It was very kind and forgiving of you not to mention that my original post had several garbled lines courtesy of grammar and spell check. Yikes! Thanks for commenting.Just understanding that all have sinned and fallen short of perfection. Do unto others as you want done unto you.-Thanks for your response Suz- Always- Ella
Nice, thanks. I've noticed a decrease in the number of geese around here this year (I'm a hunter, which I hope is okay with you).Well, Jack--I am not around Geese much. I may not feel the closeness to them that I feel to the Pelican, Great Blue Heron, and Laughing Gulls. I also have not known anyone who hunts these birds.
I am concerned about the noticeable decrease in your bird population, however. I think of our wildlife as a type of environmental barometer. Perhaps you can research the decreasing Geese phenomena and report back to us.The geese moved from the areas where you can hunt to the industrial parks and catch ponds behind shopping centers.
Pelicans and herons are not a game species-in PA at least-you can't hunt them.
Hi Suzi.
When the oil spill happened and I heard reports of the birds, I too was alarmed. I worry for all the nonhuman animals of the earth.
I love your photos. You have an eye for beauty.
The birds where I live are doing well, but this summer we had far fewer toads come out during the monsoon than normal. That has given me some concern. Things are changing and only time will tell if it is good or bad.
Hugs,
DianneThank you, Diane. It would be interesting if all would report any environmental changes note .
The birds are mesmerizing, and I go to the coast to see the birds, not sunbath, etc.
Oh, yes--Elle, the birds are definitely mesmerizing, entertaining, and, good teachers as well.
I have not eaten gulf seafood since the spill. I do not believe it is safe. I have not visited the coast either.
And yes, I'd definitely watch the birds.
You have a knack for photography Suzi. Lovely pictures.
If still concerned about air quality and health due to the spill, I'd suggest taking a really good chelation formula for removing chemicals and toxins. If you need info, just message me and I'll send along what I use.I think you should visit. I am not a scientist so I do not make claims that only a scientist with proper tools should make--I think for the majority of citizens the oil spill was one more bruise on the path of life. When people say the "Gulf" it covers a very wide area. Throughout that large area, smaller areas were impacted differently. It is easy to check up to date air quality and water quality. Some people saw it as an opportunity to make money, as did the folks right after Katrina who came to "Help".
Thank you for commentingI have been considering a visit to see my brother and his family. They live in and around Mobile. Of course, Mobile smelled awful before the spill, at least whenever I went there. I remember liking Fairhope and LOVING Gulf Shores. If the Gulf Spill was a bruise on the path of life, I think it had to be one of the bigger ones in recent times. Hope you are right and water/air quality is good now.I think you will enjoy and possibly be very surprised.Suzi, I really would like to see my relatives who still live there so will hopefully plan a visit soon. I'll let you know how I feel about it all afterwards. I am like the canary in the coal mine; if it's still overly toxic there, I will know it immediately on first breath.
If I do come for a visit, I'd love to meet for coffee.Sorrry, I just caught this last message. A walk along MY beach area would be wonderful, coffee too. How would I know who I am meeting? You would likely recognize me.
I recall watching Hitchcock's, The Birds, when I was young with all my cousins gathered around. We were terrified. Whenever I see a huge flock of birds I think of it. These days however I get enjoyment and a sense of calm watching birds and have several bird feeders in the yard. Very nice photos Suzi!Brianna, Hitchcock's Birds was a classic. Shame on him! Think of all the people who may have avoided birds and coastal area because of that movie. This is the best time of the year for bird watching here.
Good god, Alfred Hitchcock at age 6!! I'm glad you got over your fear of birds, though! The BP oil spill was tragic. Maybe the birds will come back some day. Your photos are beautiful.Thank you, Jennifer. Coastal Birds have somehow become a big part of me. It is almost as if I am being told parables as I watch them. One little reward is I made it to first page Google with my website: Gulf Coast Birds.
PS: I am completing an article soon and wish to link you up in it. OK?Fantastic about Google's first page, well done! I'd love you to do the link thing, thanks.
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