The birds were silent this morning. Yes, I know, it's late August, far beyond the nesting time for the Midwest's bird population. It's one of the signs, though, of declining summer.
Some of the seasonal birds are already gone --I haven't seen or heard a warbler in awhile. Even the cardinals are taking a break. The sparrows, however, chirp now and then to let me know that they are still here.
Fifty years ago Rachel Carson wrote a blockbuster book, "Silent Spring." Insecticides and other
intrusions of modern society, would, she said, decimate the great song bird populations. There would be no more Spring song in the meadows because there would be no more birds. Even America's national symbol, the Bald Eagle, would disappear from the skies.
Because environmental awareness was a new idea in those days, her book was a breath of fresh air for many of us. We began to listen more carefully for bird song and look more intently to bird populations. As a nation we began to wake up and pay attention to the environment.
Largely because of Rachel Carson, DDT was banished as an insecticide. DDT inhibited viable egg production, especially among Bald Eagles which were placed on the endangered species list. Though the DDT link is still disbelieved by many, the Bald Eagle population has recovered. Recently, I noticed a pair of eagles perched in a tree as I was sitting at breakfast at my sister's home near St. Charles along the Fox River.
In six months Spring will be back and so will the songs. This morning's silence just makes me yearn more intently for the concert.
Some of the seasonal birds are already gone --I haven't seen or heard a warbler in awhile. Even the cardinals are taking a break. The sparrows, however, chirp now and then to let me know that they are still here.
Fifty years ago Rachel Carson wrote a blockbuster book, "Silent Spring." Insecticides and other
intrusions of modern society, would, she said, decimate the great song bird populations. There would be no more Spring song in the meadows because there would be no more birds. Even America's national symbol, the Bald Eagle, would disappear from the skies.
Because environmental awareness was a new idea in those days, her book was a breath of fresh air for many of us. We began to listen more carefully for bird song and look more intently to bird populations. As a nation we began to wake up and pay attention to the environment.
Largely because of Rachel Carson, DDT was banished as an insecticide. DDT inhibited viable egg production, especially among Bald Eagles which were placed on the endangered species list. Though the DDT link is still disbelieved by many, the Bald Eagle population has recovered. Recently, I noticed a pair of eagles perched in a tree as I was sitting at breakfast at my sister's home near St. Charles along the Fox River.
In six months Spring will be back and so will the songs. This morning's silence just makes me yearn more intently for the concert.
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