Ike Info, and Don't Touch the Feathers!
Before we get started, once again here's a gentle reminder that our neighbors in Texas (and beyond) took a pretty big hit from Ike... The Red Cross contact information follows:
- Web site: http://www.redcross.org/
- Phone: 1-800-REDCROSS /1-800-257-7575 (Español)
- U.S. Mail: American Red Cross National Headquarters 2025 E Street, NW Washington, DC 20006
Back in June of 2007, we took a good close look at a feather. Well, here's another one.
But that's not a very detailed photograph. Here's a close up...
Jeez... This was to be such a simple issue/post... Mention a feather... Toss in a few snapshots... Well, nothing in life is easy. Just a tad of searching on the Web warns of the dire legal and health risks of picking up feathers....
From what I can glean, it takes special licenses to handle feathers of virtually every ilk, and the officials aren't fooling around. (Read that: "You can drive like an idiot on the highway right in front of the police, and at worst you'll get pulled over and have to pay a ticket... But pick up a chickadee feather in your backyard and lookout!")
Add to the threat of legal trouble the matter of health issues. (The experts say that feathers need to be picked up with gloves, placed in Ziploc bags, frozen for 2 months, then microwaved for 30 seconds or so... I kid you not.)
So... In compliance with the law, my massive feather collection (5) have properly been disposed of (thrown outside where I found them), and I have literally scrubbed my hands down with rubbing alcohol. (Seriously, I do that several times a day regardless - I'm an anti-germ freak.)
Enjoy the pics above, 'cause I ain't going down this road again...
With a deep sigh, see you by the feeders,
CapeCodAlan
eBirdseed.com photo library
