Author Topic: Hatred of Nature (Read 4055 times)

laurw · « **on:** June 15, 2007, 05:09:30 AM »

Through the window I saw a deer walking away from the pond in the wee morning hours and groggily thought, 'Oh she's pretty,' and fell back asleep.

Now I look out and see there are NO LILYPADS on my two container barrels. Also, right this moment I see that there is a rabbit eating my violas like he's a pensioner at Hometown Buffet. I could throw my coffee mug at him.

I thought it would be cute a few years back to 'train' the catbirds to beg for raisins, but now I can't spend any time in the garden without a flippin' bird parking a few feet away from me and screaming its hoarse, irritating lungs out.

Dear adorable creatures of the Northeastern United States:

I have a pellet gun. STOP PUSHING.

Cindi · « **Reply #1 on:** June 15, 2007, 05:12:08 AM »

I know it's not funny to you, but your story made me laugh. I hope your day goes better!

barb · « **Reply #2 on:** June 15, 2007, 05:30:56 AM »

How beautiful yet frustrating! We have catbirds, I'd love to try and train them, what a cute idea.

I have a little fence around my pond to keep our 3 year old out. It helps to keep the deer out, too. I've seen them come up to the fence and strain to get in.

Double S · « **Reply #3 on:** June 15, 2007, 06:11:58 AM »

I know it's not funny - but made me giggle. Only cuz it's not happening to me!

The deer keep busy here at our fruit trees. I hope it stays that way! They can eat all the fruit they want -- just stay away from my bloomers!

laurw · « **Reply #4 on:** June 15, 2007, 06:24:41 AM »

We have catbirds, I'd love to try and train them, what a cute idea.

I'm shocked at this response. Shocked.
Look, I'm not kidding. They get real close and practically scream in your face.

I look at them and say 'raisin?' and they shut up and fly to the spot where I put out the raisins.

They also respond to: "Shut up," and "Oh my God you piece of s*** bird, leave me alone already," and "I'm gonna put your whole family in a pie."

MikeW · « **Reply #5 on:** June 15, 2007, 06:31:14 AM »

Thanks for the laugh this morning - great way to start the day.

Similar story with the oh so cute raccoons here, that just trash the place regularly. One thing if it just ate what it needed, but thay are as destructive as an elephant - everything in the vicinity is derstroyed and trashed, whether it was of interest to them or not.

Chers,

Mike

Jerry · « **Reply #6 on:** June 15, 2007, 06:53:14 AM »

I am saying what you all already know, that is that with habitat shrinking the animals seek non natural sources. your grounds!
What to do? I guess one must do as they are advised in many National Parks, Don't feed the Animals!
Surely not encourage them. Yes it's funny, but sure frustrating!

karen J · « **Reply #7 on:** June 15, 2007, 07:01:47 AM »

Quote from: laurw on June 15, 2007, 06:24:41 AM

We have catbirds, I'd love to try and train them, what a cute idea.

I'm shocked at this response. Shocked.
Look, I'm not kidding. They get real close and practically scream in your face.

I look at them and say 'raisin?' and they shut up and fly to the spot where I put out the raisins.

They also respond to: "Shut up," and "Oh my God you piece of s*** bird, leave me alone already," and "I'm gonna put your whole family in a pie."

That is so funny.

I'm sorry, it is obviously very irritating for you. But I'm thinking the same thing as Barb. I think it would be a hoot to train them!

My daughter and I trained around 5 Chipmunks to come up and eat right in front of us, but we now have a feral cat hanging around here and it has eaten most of them.

Nature certainly has a way of keeping us humble.

Jerry · « **Reply #8 on:** June 15, 2007, 07:56:33 AM »

This Mornings LA Times article!
"Many Bird populations have declined 75 to 90% In California due to shrining habitat"
A coincidence indeed!

Bonnie · « **Reply #9 on:** June 15, 2007, 08:14:42 AM »

Laura, haven't you ever heard "Build it and they will come" ?

Deer and Wild Animals can be so frustrating but......

We want to feed them and want them to come around when it's convenient for US... When we first moved into our home we would feed the raccoons and leave food on our patio for them.
The Mommy would come and bring her babies..
AAAhhh, look how cute they are!
The next year they were getting into our garbage cans and even climbing on our porch roof.
Damn racoons.. go away would ya!

This year the racoons destroyed a kiddy pool with lilies and goldies that were going to new homes!

The same thing with the Deer, I put out a wheelbarrel full of corn and sunflower seed for the Deer and Birds this winter because it was extremely snowy and icy.

The first few days it was wonderful. The deer were coming in the front yard and eating the corn. Then they wandered out to the pond and ate anything and everything green and alive that they could find. Next they wandered to the side of the house and there go my Evergreen trees!

Daisy · « **Reply #10 on:** June 15, 2007, 08:21:47 AM »

Laurw!!

You sure have a way with words.

Bonnie · « **Reply #11 on:** June 15, 2007, 08:25:32 AM »

Quote from: Daisy on June 15, 2007, 08:21:47 AM

Laurw!!

You sure have a way with words.

Yes I hope she is laughing with us !

We show no sympathy do we?

barb · « **Reply #12 on:** June 15, 2007, 08:51:54 AM »

LOL! She does have a way with words.

I think the poor cat birds here are afraid of the screaming 3 year old, the hyper border collies, and hungry cats.

They do hang out close to us, but something always scares them away. They nest in one patch of woods every year, and love the little berries on my weeping cherry tree. And they really do sound like cats!!

Desertponder · « **Reply #13 on:** June 15, 2007, 08:55:23 AM »

I'm so sorry to laugh but the way you tell it, I can't help but laugh.

I know the wildlife can be frustrating.

laurw · « **Reply #14 on:** June 15, 2007, 09:13:04 AM »

I'm kind of half-serious about the catbird pie thing.

I'll even put raisins in the stuffing as a final macabre joke at their expense.

miguynmkoi · « **Reply #15 on:** June 15, 2007, 09:20:05 AM »

Stop it

I'm sorry for laughing but first thing in the morning with your wonderful way with words, I can picture what you're going thru even though I've never had those problems....yet.

Hopefully you can find the cure for intruders. What's a catbird?

laurw · « **Reply #16 on:** June 15, 2007, 09:57:27 AM »

This cheeky little fellow: http://identify.whatbird.com/img/4/2222/image.aspx

It's a type of mockingbird. They are capable of imitating other birds' songs.

Ky Kim · « **Reply #17 on:** June 15, 2007, 10:01:13 AM »

Awwww how awlful, but the way you phrased it is funny. Sorry to laugh, but maybe in a few days you can laugh too. You know when one thing goes wrong there are more to follow.

Kim

happyoutsidegirl · « **Reply #18 on:** June 15, 2007, 10:16:58 AM »

This is too funny! Thank you all for such a good laugh! We have 20 million ~!@#$^&*+ Cowbirds. They can't even sing nice. They come buy the groves and big out on all the seeds I put out for the other birds and Quail. I have often thought about target practis? The other evening I saw about 6 or more deer up on the hill behind the barn and I was thinking how cool it would be if they all came down, but then reality hit me! Yikes! no don't come down let me enjoy you from a far so I don't hate you! I have only seen one lone buck spend the day at my house one very very hot day and he did no damage.

joeyb5980 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 15, 2007, 10:18:46 AM »

Too funny!!!

I know it sucks though... I hate catbirds also- they used to wake me up all the time- way too early

Johns · « **Reply #20 on:** June 15, 2007, 10:36:44 AM »

Kaen J,
Re: feral cats and nature. Nature= natural and house cats are NOT natural to the western hemisphere, but are exotic creatures brought here by man. Any impact they have on nature (and they do impact it) is anything but natural. Feral cats should be eliminated. They unnaturally eliminate many of the "natural" songbirds.

barb · « **Reply #21 on:** June 15, 2007, 10:51:51 AM »

Sadly, many feral cats were once housecats that either got lost or were no longer wanted and dumped by their owners.

Bonnie · « **Reply #22 on:** June 15, 2007, 01:32:49 PM »

Quote from: barb on June 15, 2007, 10:51:51 AM

Sadly, many feral cats were once housecats that either got lost or were no longer wanted and dumped by their owners.

Yes and it's the owners responsibility to get them spayed or neutered.

It's sad that a dog or cat has to kill birds or mammals to survive .... because of a person not being responsible.

karen J · « **Reply #23 on:** June 15, 2007, 06:08:53 PM »

Quote from: Johns on June 15, 2007, 10:36:44 AM

Kaen J,
Re: feral cats and nature. Nature= natural and house cats are NOT natural to the western hemisphere, but are exotic creatures brought here by man. Any impact they have on nature (and they do impact it) is anything but natural. Feral cats should be eliminated. They unnaturally eliminate many of the "natural" songbirds.

Johns, I did not intend to imply that feral cats were "natural". I was implying that we Homo sapiens seem to think that we can tinker around with nature, with no repercussions. It was just as wrong for me to be training Chipmunks as it was for a feral cat to exist to eat them.

I agree with what you are saying about feral cats being non-native, and agree to a point. However, one could argue the same point when it comes to domesticated dogs, fancy goldfish, dogs, mice, Koi, hamsters, some birds, grains (corn!), many hundreds of plants, vegetables, fruits, etc. These "unnatural" things are part of our everyday life.

In fact, almost every vegetable and fruit that you buy at the supermarket is not "natural" at all. They've all been Luther Burbanked. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luther_Burbank

For a brilliant little read on evolutionary strategy, check out "The Covenant of the Wild" (Budianski): http://www.amazon.com/Covenant-Wild-Animals-Chose-Domestication/dp/0300079931/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-
4250747-9362024?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181955290&sr=8-1

CoolShades · « **Reply #24 on:** June 15, 2007, 07:07:41 PM »

Laura I feel your pain!!!

Gary

Jonna · « **Reply #25 on:** June 16, 2007, 12:11:36 AM »

Quote

"I'm gonna put your whole family in a pie."

You do have a wonderful way with words. I am rolling on the floor over that line.

laurw · « **Reply #26 on:** June 16, 2007, 08:41:40 AM »

Thanks for the kind words, guys.

Jennie in MT · « **Reply #27 on:** June 16, 2007, 04:27:24 PM »

Quote from: happyoutsidegirl on June 15, 2007, 10:16:58 AM

We have 20 million ~!@#$^&*+ Cowbirds. They can't even sing nice. They come buy the groves and big out on all the seeds I put out for the other birds and Quail. I have often thought about target practis?

I am such a tree hugger. But when it comes to cow birds, I say bring out the cannon. They actually lay their eggs in songbird nests.

The songbirds incubate it with their eggs. The cowbird baby hatches quicker and out competes the songbird babies who then die.

I saw a PBS special about them and it was just so sad, the dwindling numbers of songbirds and the canibalism (sp?) of the cowbird.

It was titled something like The end of songbird song... :'(

perplexed ponder · « **Reply #28 on:** June 17, 2007, 05:25:58 AM »

Laura-

I have a heron stew recipe (egret may be substituted in place of heron) so i bet it owuld work for your birds too

Marilyn C · « **Reply #29 on:** June 17, 2007, 02:56:58 PM »

I don't feel the way the rest of you do. I feel honored that I can live in such a beautiful place, surrounded by wildlife. I could never live in town and have to be around people who think "nature" consists only of butterflies and hummingbirds. I guess I am a little more laid back about it.

I live on the edge of a marsh...herons are a fact of life, but haven't been any trouble to me. It is nice to see the
ospreys that are here every winter.

If you walk around here, stay on the paths, but watch out because the snakes sun themselves there but they are only there early in the day and late in the evening.

I just raised 3 armadillos that I released in my yard...most people around here shoot them on sight. I have deer in my pasture. No telling how many raccoons and possums are here every night. My only complaint about living here is the kid next door who almost shot me twice (shooting in the woods between my place and his...land that he doesn't own (they live on 3/4 of an acre)...."I didn't know a .22 could go that far." Yeah...well, tell it to the judge.
I filed charges and he was arrested.

Give me cow birds, feral cats, catbirds, herons, snakes, and raccoons any day.