10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 1, 2015

Walking along a dirt track next to a prairie, my friend and I were on the look-out for different sparrow species when a large bird suddenly darted into the clearing. In fact, they are central to many Mexican and Native American spiritual beliefs, and have been named the state bird of New Mexico.

New Mexico 101

New Mexico Mexico Coyotes Rattlesnake 101

10,000 Birds

MARCH 8, 2013

And so, when Salvador Ramirez left, there were feral goats on the island of San Clemente, the southernmost of the Channel Islands off the coast of California. And so, the local subspecies of Bewick’s wren, a bird described in 1908 a “very common on all parts of the island,” was gone by the 1940’s, its habitat converted into goat flesh.

Goats 162

Goats Bald Eagle Fox Feral 162

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 20, 2012

Long before that time Mexican domesticated Turkeys had been adopted by Native Americans in the American Southwest as well. Some time after the Spanish encounter with the Turkey, birds were brought back to Europe where they were raised and became an important source of food and fancy feathers. This is where they got their name.

Turkey 210

Turkey Columbus Spain Fowl 210

4 The Love Of Animals

MAY 8, 2011

Half a decade ago, in a little mountain town about 60 miles northeast of San Diego, a feral kitten dragged his front left leg uselessly. Not consulted about adopting the kitten, nor part of the hours and hours each day spent answering the letters to Henry, the dog initially felt left out and dejected.

San Diego 100

San Diego Kittens Emotional Cats 100