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Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com www.TheCatoctinBanner.com The Catoctin Banner Newspaper October 2017 Page 33
Christine Maccabee
On The W ild Side travel by air defies belief—and paradisiacal world, we could use
less plastic; however, just about
to think they don’t need metal
everything we buy is wrapped in
protective coverings and seat
belts to travel as we humans do. plastic! So, what to do? Perhaps
They just wing it as they are, with there is no one answer, except to
awesome communication between continue cleaning up our messes,
one another to safely get where they and to try not to create more. I
Bir ds in P ar adise? are going, eating wild food along heard recently of 800,000 people
participating in a worldwide beach
the way (hopefully not plastic).
As wonderful as all this is, cleanup, and this is just one of many
worldwide, many species of water other efforts to help wildlife and
This we know. Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the birds, as well as water turtles and the ecology by good-hearted, caring
whales, etc., are in trouble. Many folk. Of course, no matter where
Earth. Whatever man does to the web of life he does to himself. are dying from starvation due to we are, there is an ongoing need to
stomachs full of plastic objects, pick up trash along walkways, in
— Chief Seattle, 1851
which they innocently see as food. streams, or anywhere we see any.
In the film BAG IT, (which will be It is impossible to write about
Most of us are quite aware of the Theropods brooded eggs, had shown to the public in Thurmont all the perils facing birds, and there
problems birds and aquatic animals bones filled with air pockets to make this November and December), I are many. Due to limited space in
are having with plastic objects them lighter, and some had feathers witnessed the dissection of stomachs this column, I simply will end by
in our oceans and waterways. and even a wishbone! of Condors and out spilled the quoting another wise person in
However, there are details that most At this time of year, and even reason for their starvation. Birds, as history who said, “Whatsoever you
of us would just as soon ignore earlier in the season, many birds innately intelligent as they are, are do to the least of these you do unto
because they are so devastating. I are migrating to their winter also innocent victims of the throw- me.” I believe “the least of these”
personally make a point of watching homes. How a tiny bird like the away society that we, as humans, implies not only human beings, but
pertinent films and reading books hummingbird, which weighs no have created. Some people may all other sentient beings as well.
and articles because, in a real way, I more than a paperclip or two, can discount this by saying, “Oh well, it I am certain Chief Seattle would
need to know all the facts, no matter travel up to 3,000 miles annually, is a dangerous world we all live in,” agree. Most of the holy men and
how gruesome. I need to know not at speeds up to 30 mph, dodging or “life is messy,” both of which women in the world owned very
only what is right, but also what is hurricane-force winds and rain, is are true, but it is also an equally little and had utmost reverence for
wrong, and then I hope to convey for me nothing short of a miracle. amazingly miraculous life and one life (St. Francis, Ghandi, Mother
some of this information to others. Here’s a fact that may blow worth taking better care of. Theresa). I am also sure they did
Birds are indeed amazing your mind: “the record number Actually, many people are not “heap up treasures on earth,”
survivors, and according to Jim of heartbeats in a hummer is a beginning to use cloth shopping or use plastic bags when shopping!
Robbins’ book, The Wonder of whopping 1,260 times a minute,” bags and, of course, most of Yes, we all can do something,
Birds, many scientists think of them according to Robbins. us recycle. Ideally, in a more and we all can do better.
as “the dinosaurs that made it.” There is a wonderful film you
Robbins says that chickens and can get at the library called “The Christine encourages you to come to the films to be shown during Thurmont’s
turkeys are genetically the closest Great Migration,” which I wish Fall Environmental Film Series. Watch for the dates and times as advertised
dinosaur relatives with their “beast everyone could see. In it, multiple in newspapers and fliers. Thank You. She also invites you to come up to visit
feet,” not unlike the Tyrannosaurus species are followed closely as they her Sanctuary for Wildlife and Native Plant Preserve, just ten minutes north of
Rex, which is a theropod. migrate, and the distances they Thurmont. You can write to her to set up a visit at [email protected].
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