Our Feathered Friends

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Tweet By Ray Pope A week has now passed after the massive floods of May 1and 2 and some things are trying to get back into a normal pattern around Wilson County. I love taking pictures of news worthy events, but it kind of sticks in your craw when everything gets into a negative light. My friends, the Zurawski family of whom I talk about working at the Cedars of Lebanon State Park during the Glade Festival with me for 33 years lives in the Bellevue community which was hit hard during the floods. I finally got hold of them to find everything safe and dry at their home. Some of their neighbors were less fortunate and some lost everything. I sat out the rains with them in a cabin at Cedars while watching the stories unfold right in front of our eyes on the television screen. Little did we know how close the waters were approaching their neighborhood. By Ray Pope A week has now passed after the massive floods of May 1and 2 and some things are trying to get back into a normal pattern around Wilson County. I love taking pictures of news worthy events, but it kind of sticks in your craw when everything gets into a negative light. My friends, the Zurawski family of whom I talk about working at the Cedars of Lebanon State Park during the Glade Festival with me for 33 years lives in the Bellevue community which was hit hard during the floods. I finally got hold of them to find everything safe and dry at their home. Some of their neighbors were less fortunate and some lost everything. I sat out the rains with them in a cabin at Cedars while watching the stories unfold right in front of our eyes on the television screen. Little did we know how close the waters were approaching their neighborhood. Sad situations are hit and miss with us humans and we really don't think much about how it might affect the wild creatures about us. You may cry on someone’s shoulder when bad things happen, but what about our feathered friends? I was under one of the buildings there at South Cumberland taking pictures of the repair on the small railroad trestle when I realized the Barn Swallows under the building were searching all over for their babies which must have perished when the waters got to the high level beneath the old store. There were probably 30 Swallows flying all around me trying to locate their nest and babies and the sounds they were making brought tears to my eyes. I know that there is a big difference between birds and us humans, but it reminds me of the verse in the Holy Bible in Matthew 10:29 "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.” With all of the happenings, it’s great to know that GOD is still in control. The same thing occurred at Long Hunter State Park with the buildings at Couchville Lake submerged and Barn Swallows unable to save their young from drowning. Remember a few weeks back where Dotty Kim and I took pictures of the mud nest of the birds in one of my articles? The birds will go forward and build new nests and raise their young once again just like the spirit which drives us humans through hard times. My little Bluebird family has finally hatched and both parents are racing full throttle to fill their tiny beaks with insects. I watched as Papa Bluebird landed on the top of the house with a load of bugs and then handed them over to Mama Bluebird so she could feed the little ones. It almost looked as if they were kissing each other. Spring is a time of renewal and also a time to plant vegetables and flowers. I have been so busy with vegetables that I have neglected my flowers. A quick trip to our Wilson Farmers Co-op would remedy the situation. My friend Opal Midget was working there and was full of knowledge on the plants available. We talked about birds she has at her home and some of the not so nice ones that just won't stay away. Also at the Co-op I bumped into Randy Trammel in the vegetable aisle. Randy has become a great fan of Purple Martins and we talked for several minutes on the subject. Most people who install Purple Martin condos fail to maintain them properly by not keeping them clean and then allowing trash birds such as House Sparrows to move in and then evict the Martins. It’s no small job to keep out other unwanted species from the house and you must keep tabs daily. I have removed over a bushel of twigs and grass from the one I have and no mater what happens, more keep coming, and disappearing too. Randy e-mailed me a link to share with you all at, www.purplemartin.org which will keep you informed on any and all news about our purple feathered friends. You can also become a member and receive their special magazine on the Purple Martins with your paid subscription. Bea Malherbe sent me some troubling pictures of a large snake hanging out of one of her bird houses. I am not sure what kind of snake she had as the photos were not very close up. It was very large and able to climb up to the nesting box. Thank goodness the box was empty at the moment. I went out back and removed my squirrel baffle from the feeders and placed it on the t-post where my little ones are nesting. As soon as they fledge, I will cut and place a piece of PVC pipe over the post where a snake can't get a grip on it. The only solution would be for Bea to catch the snake and drive it several miles away and release it in the wild. Of course she could kill it which would destroy its value as a rodent eater. I don't believe for a minute that Bea will capture it as she doesn't care to get that close to it. Just call me and we will start a snake relocation program. Charlene Reeves has been having trouble with Crows eating her out of house and home. Her grandson, Neel Reeves has been watching the Red-winged Blackbirds at the large pond out back on their Norene Property as they build their nest in the cattails. Also this past Sunday, I poked my head out the back window to watch my Bluebirds in the rain and heard a Swainson's Thrush sing his flute like song in the thicket behind the house. I would love to hear from you as to what’s lurking about in your neighborhood and at your feeders. You can reach me C/O The Wilson Post, or call me at 547-7371 or write me at 606 Fairview Ave, Lebanon, TN, 37087 or e-mail me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it