December 24, 1992 - Focusing On Nature for 30 YearsSA • The .Suffolk.Times • ,December 24, 1992
Focusing On Nature for 30 Years
By Paul Stoutenburah
I wonder how many readers out there
can remember over 30 years ago when
"Focus on Nature" first appeared. At
that time it was featured in the Sunday
issue of The News - Review, and was
illustrated with sketches by Dennis
Puleston. It was my hope then, as it still
is today, that by reviewing the wonders
of the natural world we have out here
on our East End we all would become
better stewards of the land. To a great
Focus on
'Nature
'extent that has become a reality for
'today there is a large body of people out
j there concerned with conservation and
the direction our East End is going.
As I reviewed the article I could see
many places I'd probably correct if I
were writing it today. Yet that early ex-
perienee of photographing from a blind
i on a cold winter's day is still sharp and
vivid in my mind and from that day on,
the beautiful meadowlark with its bright
yellow vest has always held a special
place in my book of memories. And so
on to 30 years ago...
The coldest day I ever spent in a
blind, or as the English would say, a
hide, was when I was photographing the
meadowlark three years ago.
I had always admired this rugged bird
with its lush yellow breast, striking
black chevron and white outer tail
feathers that stand out so when he flies.
For some reason or other, I have never
quite been able to photograph it during
the nesting time.
I prefer this time for photographing
mainly for three reasons. First, it's usu-
i ally the warmest part of the year and
therefore more comfortable (some times
though it becomes too warm inside the
blind). Secondly, the birds are in their
best mating plumage (this changes later
to ragged coats from the wear and tear
of strenuous feeding and parental du-
ties). And thirdly, the bird naturally is
confined to the nesting site which
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The 111ead+►rolarle
Exclusive Sunday Review Sketch by Dennis Puleston of Brookhaven
But like most photographers, being
there at the right time with a camera
never seemed to work out just right for
the meadowlark and me. To change this
situation and capture on film this ele-
gant bird, I made it my business to set
up a blind in an old abandoned corn
field nearby in hopes of changing my
luck.
Set Up Blind
There was still snow on the ground
and so I cleared a small area and baited
it generously with seed. I try to leave
my blinds unattended for a day or two
so that the birds become accustomed to
them. The first chance I got I started to
outfit myself for a day's photographing.
teens, I bundled up like the proverbial
spaceman and carrying camera, tripods
and miscellaneous supplies, went to the
hide.
Previously I had seen many mead-
owlarks in this field, gleaning the few
remaining kernels of corn or grain that
poked above the white snowy cover,
and so I knew it would only be a matter
of half an hour or so and my subjects
would appear. Sure enough, soon three
or four slowly made their way toward
the exposed feeding ground and in no
time at all I was busy trying to capture a
good shot.
For some reason, meadowlarks, like
some people, do not want to be pho-
front view of the bird so that we t
see its beautiful yellow vest.
I had to be satisfied with some fa
good profile shots but with all the
and snow in the background it put
bird on my list as one of our welcc
winter residents.
Once Fair Game
Grain probably makes up the bulk of
the meadowlark's diet during the winter
but by springtime the diet changes as it
does with so many other birds when the
many forms of insect life are about. Be-
cause of its ground feeding habits in the
field, its large size and its quail -like
flight, this bird at one time was consid-
ered fair game for the hunter. To most
of us, shooting at a small bird of this
size seems almost ridiculous. However,
we must remember that our country and
its laws are comparatively young and
until the concept of conservation was
developed there was some excuse for
this action.
Years gone by saw the slaughter of
small birds such as robins, blackbirds,
bunting, shorebirds and a host of others
that to most would seem too small to
bother with. Those were the days when
there was no season and anyone could
shoot any game so long as it proved
profitable.
Today we think of this era as past his-
tory, but unfortunately this practice still
prevails in most of the undeveloped
parts of the world. Our closest offenders
are probably Mexico, Central and South
America. As these areas develop, con-
servation laws will become part of their
way of life and this slaughter will end.
As a matter of fact, it has been said that
`...on some high post.
rock or uprising, the
meadowlark will
proclaim his territory
in full song.'
one of the ways a country's progress
can be told is by its outlook on conser-
vation.
Is Here
meadowlarks are content to
eir winters here in the North
iers, like some people, feel they
iouth. March marks their return
ea and we will soon be thrilled
familiar "Spring is here" call
recognized is never forgotten.
i this call is not quite as melo-
the western species, I ask
nore.
ntioned before, the bird is an
ground feeder and therefore it
,onder that during May it seeks
g site amongst the grasses. The
usually half hidden and usually
dry tuft or hummock of last
.,ass, something like a Dutch
many cases, tunnels from one
eet long lead into the nest,
ompletely hiding it from sight.
locate these nests by watching
A is almost impossible for they
,id close at hand but usually
stance away, then they run,
low in the grass, out of sight,
I entrance.
Areas
. esting areas are jealously
as one can tell from the great
See Focus, next page