With the destruction from the hurricane in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, it seems like there might be something that should be said here. I'm not sure what.
I've always had environmental leanings -- tempered now in middle age by the realization that I'm pretty powerless about big environmental issues, and that yes, I do like to fill my car with gas and enjoy many other pleasures that consume natural resources.
The immediate concern is for loss of human life. I do think we'll be hearing more in coming months about how these disasters could have been averted had we respected the land more, protected wetlands and developed less in sensitive areas. Not sure that will matter. Here in St. Louis, we had massive flooding in 1994 and have rebuilt even bigger in the floodplains.
As purple martin hobbyists, maybe we can add a little to greater public respect and appreciation for the environment. If we pass along to our kids, neighbors and friends some interest and even awe for these swallows, we're getting folks to take more notice of the natural world, its beauty and its ability to sort of knock us up side the head if we don't respect it.
John Miller,
St. Louis, Mo
hurricane thought
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Laverne
- Posts: 2216
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:58 pm
- Location: TX/Alvin
- Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.
You said a mouth full there, John.
...and I agree. There is another lesson that could be learned from the Purple Martin. Don't build your nest where other PMs have failed.
Simple and sweet...
...and I agree. There is another lesson that could be learned from the Purple Martin. Don't build your nest where other PMs have failed.
Simple and sweet...
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
John, it is totally wrong to let people build at elevations that are less than 10ft above sea level, or within 2 miles of the beach. If people want to build there, they should not be allowed to get loans or insurance. As long as they are allowed to build in such places, they will. Our politicians don't care about that, as they are afraid that they would lose some votes if they passed such laws. As Laverne said, purple martins learn but politicians don't.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps