I found this Red-bellied Woodpecker during a brief visit to the Johnson/kalinowski preserve on Saturday. There were several Eastern Bluebirds there as well.
The entrance to the 18 acre preserve is located on Grove Street in Portland. The land is situated at the edge of Pecausett Pond which is a fresh water cove connected to the Connecticut River by way of a small inlet. During past visits here I have seen Osprey and Bald Eagles perched in some of the trees. The short entrance trail is the only place you can walk without sinking up to your knees in muck so my my time spent I generally make a brief stop here to see what's around. -
Sometimes when I find trash on the ground I'm reminded of a commercial from the 70's. It concluded with a scene showing a Native American standing at the edge of a highway with a tear in his eye after trash is thrown at his feet. It may have been a little melodramatic but it must have made an impression on me since I'm still remembering it 40 years after it originally aired. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, click here to see the Youtube clip of the original commercial. The Native American in the commercial was portrayed by an Italian-American actor named Iron Eyes Cody. I try to remember to pick up litter I find in small preserves like this. I don't want to be haunted by that memory of an American Indian standing in trash with a tear running down his cheek.
11 comments:
I remember that commercial too! Thanks for the memories :)
Nice post, Larry! Thanks for posting a link to the YouTube video with Iron Eyes! Now that the snow is melting you see the emerging detritus of trash accumulated during the winter.
dawn-I like that nostalgic stuff.
Hilke-your welcome-and thanks for the new word detritus-I'll have to look that one up.
Yes I remember it as well. I hope it doesn't sound too braggy but its mush have influenced my generation. Younger people today also must have taken keeping our beautiful surrounding free of trash as well. It certainly isn't common to see a lot of trashy highways in the upper Midwest. The Southwest is another matter.
Nice capture on woodpecker!
Kah Wai
http://kwbirding.blogspot.com/
Love the Red-bellied image. Another bird becoming more common here in southern Ontario.
I remember that commercial too.
I met a bird guide once who always carried a plastic bag and picked up garbage as he walked. Its a great habit. I always try to pick up a few things myself now too, so I guess he educated me by example.
Hi Larry. Great post! I love red-bellied woodpeckers. I had one at my suet feeder recently, which was exciting for me.
I applaud your PSA about picking up litter! "Leave no trace."
Excellent capture of the Red-bellied Woodpecker Larry!
troutbirder-Plenty of trash around here unfortunately.
Kah-Wai-Lin-thanks for stopping by.
BirdingGirl-Thanks-I always enjoy seeing Red-bellied Woodpeckers or flickers at the suet too.
Mainbirder-thanks!
I think we all remember that comercial and it had a similar effect on me. Now I am reminded to just "Pick it Up!" and not wait for someone else to do it. So, I pick up other people's trash when I am walking the dog or walking in nature. I can't bear to think of it getting into the belly of some wild animal or bird or blowing out to that huge spinning pile in the ocean. Thanks for this gracious reminder!
Kathiebirds-I do pick it up sometimes but not all the time. Depends how far I have to carry the trash.
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