Feed the Birds!

Feed the Birds Earl Plato

I heard the rumbles. Feed English sparrows and starlings while our song birds go hungry! My brother, Ed , said a fellow church member of his remarked, “Tell that writer brother of yours that when the bluebirds return I’ll ship up all the sparrows and starlings he wants!” Plato, not much support for my feeding all the birds regardless of size, colour or denomination.
Defence. Remember where I was in the 1980’s. On the farm with lots of feed for all. Remember that if I didn’t feed the sparrows and starlings, where would they end up? - at your feeders in Ridgeway maybe even in Fort Erie!
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Gone from South Kaobel Road is the old oak tree that once harboured Red-tails and countless Turkey vultures. It stood there for years all alone and now it’s gone. Question. Was it once the custom on farms in the area to plant a sapling in the year in which a family baby was born? Was it usually some large-growing tree, long-lived species that would stand out in the landscape such as an elm, oak or sugar maple?
Farmers out there do you recognize this tree planting custom? ***
Earth lesson? None better than scientist, Bob McDonald of C.B.C.’s Quirks and Quarks. 100 members and friends of the Bert Miller Nature Club were enthralled on December 18 at the Stevensville Conservation Club.
You think that Bob is great on radio you have to experience him in the flesh. He’s a ‘grabber.’ That is he gets your attention right from the start. How much fresh water on earth? Using two of our teenagers, Jessica Winger and Rob Eberly, and a full glass of fresh water, he dramatically showed how much fresh water is actually available. Jessica survived his continual order, “Take a drink, Jessica. Wait a second!”
Bob reminded us that we who live on the periphery of the Great lakes, live near the largest bodies of fresh water in the world. What are we doing to protect and preserve this vital source? Bob is extremely funny but he can be dead serious.
Bob McDonald is a space scientist and with the use of excellent slides he took us around the world, the moon, to Mars, Saturn and unique moons such as Europa. He discussed the effect of gravity and the fact that we really don’t know enough about the phenomenon.
He described a night in Tanzania and the disclosure of the heavens in that part of he world. He mesmerized you with this vivid experience that he had. Are we alone in the universe? The need to have the right criteria for life on this circular ball of stone, earth, is critical. He pointed out that so far the planets and moons are devoid of life.
Bob encourages young people especially “To get outside and experience reality. Think about this world!”