On Dauphin Island, I was deeply impressed by the attitudes and actions of two groups: birdwatchers and hurricane watchers. When I wrap these two groups together, I get a glimpse of a very old, old friend who believed in the value of others.
Noah loved people, his family, animals, and the Earth. He enjoyed grass, trees, fresh air, rain, and the beauty of the skies. Noah was in the habit of observing, learning, providing for the needy, listening to others, and sharing fresh insights. Noah’s epic courage, faith, and determination inspired him to prepare well for the Flood of all Floods. People laughed at Noah. But he remained so positive, that he rallied friends and family to help him build the Boat of all Boats. Noah so clearly worked for the benefit of all, that it was said that he walked with God and that he was God’s true messenger (see Bible and Qur’an). “At the Shell Mounds, Noah and I saw 10 warbler species and a scarlet tanager was hopping right at our feet! Nice talking, got to run, someone saw a scissor-tailed flycatcher at Fort Gaines!” The warnings are up – it’s a category 5 hurricane – little else matters! Like Noah, the islanders have let go of old spats. There are people to look after, everyone’s pets too, and time is of the essence! Community, family, survival – all is at risk! Like in the days of Noah, our future is in doubt, but we are the Ark Builders! Inspired by the birdwatchers, we, each in our own way, can learn to gratefully take in the beauty of the Earth! Inspired by Noah, we, each in our own way, can learn to protect all Creation’s precious gifts! Inspired by islanders preparing for hurricanes, we, each in our own way, can learn to put away our squabbles and work together for the benefit of all! And when we do, patiently like Noah, wherever we’re at, country, cities, islands … we will be embracing a future filled with rainbows and promises beyond our imagination!
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Birding and butterfly photos can be found at youtube video: Birds and Birders of Dauphin Island, Alabama | |
Dolphin photo above can be found at Wikimedia: U.S. Navy photo of volunteers |
Tag Archives: Dauphin Island
Proof! Warblers Can Read!
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“Seen anything?” I asked at the Shell Mounds on Dauphin Island (a world class birding area). “No,” the Michigan birder replied, “but last year my brother came here and saw 10 ‘lifetime birds’ in 20 minutes.” “Wow,” I said, “and last year was a down year.” “Then, what would you call this year! Can’t believe my wife and I came 1100 miles for this! Do you expect any ‘fallouts’ soon?” “Not really,” I answered, “we’ve had the storms and cool, strong north winds to produce ‘fallouts’ several times but the birds just aren’t arriving in any numbers at all.”
Everyone I’ve asked says this is “the worse spring in memory.” The warblers, the highlight for many birders, have been the most conspicuous in their absence. Most birders have only seen a few warblers. So where are the birds this spring? One birder from Georgia said, “I just hope they’re still alive.” During the spring migrations, in good years, like 2009, I see hundreds of colorful warblers of more than 20 species. Even in off years, I see around a hundred warblers of a dozen or so species. This year, after many outings, I’ve seen just one migrating warbler, a hooded warbler (not counting the one that fell dead in my backyard). Like all years, this spring has had some highlights. My son, Nicholas, saw a swallow-tailed kite. These magnificent birds generally fly up and down the Dauphin Island sand dunes and above the wooded areas of Dauphin Island. Several in my family have also seen some bald eagles near Bay Front Park in Alabama Port. I have also seen some orioles, finches, kingbirds, and vireos. Unfortunately, these have shown up in much fewer numbers and varieties than usual. On Dauphin Island, even the non-migrants are a fewer in number. Woodpeckers, wrens, thrashers, sparrows, blue jays, cardinals, towhees, and mockingbirds are noticeably fewer. Somehow, according to experts, the birds, just like the humans, have become alarmed after reading reports from “various media outlets.” After all, according to the experts, it’s “fair to say that the oil is indeed gone.” But somehow, the birds too have failed to close “the gap between the public perception of the oil spill and the reality of where we stand.” And where do the experts say we stand? “The seafood appears to be abundant and is indeed safe to eat while the beaches are among the finest in the world.” So if you happen to see any gullible migrating birds, please pass the word along that all is well in the gulf and the surrounding areas. Also be sure to warn the birds about the “clear and certain danger” of “various media elements” who might cast doubts on the experts who say that there are “no ecological dangers” or “grave concerns” for the public to worry about … only “questions” of “academic interest” (for examples of such expert quotes see http://oil.disl.org/pdf/DHOSPerspective.pdf – for examples of irresponsible media keep reading Umpteen Horizons). |
What a People!
The gulf coast is not just home for tragedies and crises. It’s the home of incredible people! In 2004 numerous hurricanes struck Florida and the northern gulf coast including Hurricane Ivan. Other areas suffered greatly too particularly with Hurricane Jeanne. 2005 brought more destruction with numerous communities all along the coast from Central America to United States and throughout the Caribbean being devastated from severe hurricanes including Dennis, Emily, Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. With barely a breather if that, rough economic times came our way and are indeed affecting the whole world. And now we’re in month three of the oil disaster. Today we are shocked at the inept care that was given to our environment and shocked at the long-term environmental destruction of our home and the home of so many other creatures too. Yet positive energy is the focus of so many people! “I love Dauphin Island!” “I love Bayou La Batre!” “I love Louisiana!” “I love Mississippi!” “I love my community!” “I care about you!” “Let’s help one another!” “Let’s take care of our environment!” We are a people who have kept coming back! We are a people who are still coming back today! With confidence, even after all this and with whatever will come in the future, be it natural or unnatural disasters, I know that we will continue to live positively. There’s an incredible faith inside all of us, a faith that creates an unconquerable, spirited synergy between us, a faith that is lived out in innumerable acts of kindness, friendship, and generous initiative. |
Volunteer update
There is a new volunteer program being offered on the gulf coast called “peer listening.” Peer listening is a community service that proved valuable in the wake of the Exxon Valdez disaster. Training workshops are currently being conducted in Alabama and Mississippi coastal communities. According to the program’s website (which contains lots of helpful information), “peer listening is a type of support that occurs when people provide knowledge, experience, emotional, social or practical help to each other.” Pictured above is a training workshop that was held in Bayou La Batre yesterday.
Oil Still Waiting to be Cleaned Up
On Dauphin Island, west of Katrina Cut, old oil on beaches and in tidal pools still waits to be cleaned up from Friday of last week. New oil still is coming onshore. Here are some pictures. Click on pictures to see larger more detailed images.
Tuesday, July 6, 7:00 P.M., the Mobile Bay Group Sierra Club will feature a presentation by Dr. Riki Ott. and Dr. J. Steven Picou. Dr. Riki Ott, is a marine toxicologist with a specialty in oil pollution. She experienced firsthand the devastating effects of the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Dr. J. Steven Picou, a Professor of Sociology at the University of South Alabama, is currently working on the human response to the BP oil catastrophe. They will be talking about what we can do to help our community cope with this unfolding tragedy. Meeting place: 5 Rivers, Alabama’s Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Blvd., Spanish Fort, AL 36527 – the entrance is across from Meaher State Park on the Mobile Bay Causeway.
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Fish and birds normally abundant have been markedly less numerous on recent trips to Dauphin Island west of Katrina Cut. Exceptionally, sting rays remain abundant and close to the shore.
Hope, tears, broken dreams, memories, tragedy, …