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Hot topics are those issues that
everyone in cabin country seems to be talking about, things that are newsworthy
and things we think merit special attention. We will periodically add topics
to this page, so please check back.
Looking for more hot stuff, the kind that sizzles and sears? Check out the Grill
Master in every issue of Cabin Life! |
| • Hello Summer: Hello Reading |
| • Moveable Feast: Paella Party |
| • Photo Tips: Photographing Birds in Flight |
| • Moveable Feast: Well-stocked Pantry |
| • Games For Family Gatherings |
| • Shopping Tips for the Stargazer |
| • Checklists for Closing Up the Cabin |
| • Fishing Trip Planning Tips |
| • Float to Boat Another Day |
| • Baby Animals: Abandoned or Not? |
Hello Summer; Hello Reading
Spend a lazy afternoon with one of these bonus selections.
FICTION
The Archivist by Martha Cooley
Full of T.S. Elliot references and poems, this story is about university librarian Matthias Lane, who
is in charge of a rare book and manuscript collection, the young poet, Roberta, who is intensely
interested in the collection, and their ensuing friendship. Cooley is a wonder of a writer.
The River Why by David James Duncan
This book tells the quest of Gus, a man that comes from a fishing-obsessed family. Filled with
philosophical ponderings that are often related to fishing, Duncan's book has been likened to
"The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" and "Catch 22."
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami
Superbly imaginative, filled with bizarre but likeable characters, and set in Tokyo, this story
is a definite page-turner.
Smilla's Sense of Snow by Peter Høeg
Meet Smilla Jasperson, a Greenlander living in Copenhagen who sets out to solve how a young
Greenlandic boy fell to his death from her apartment complex. Beautiful, icy imagery and wonderful
suspense fill this book's pages.
Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen
A man throws his wife overboard; she survives and seeks revenge. A basic plot taking place in
Florida, but true to Hiaasen, it's stuffed full of comic suspense and environmental concern.
The Hyde Park Headsman by Anne Perry
Victorian mystery at its best. True to time and place, Perry follows police superintendent
Thomas Pitt as he - with help from his wife, Charlotte - attempts to solve who or what is beheading
people in Hyde Park. One of the many novels in the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series.
NON-FICTION
The Great Mortality by John Kelly
An intricate account of the Black Death, the plague that killed millions of people in the 14th
century. Not your usual dry history, this book addresses a dark and serious topic in an engaging way.
Portrait of a Killer: Jack the Ripper Case Closed by Patricia Cornwell
Cornwell takes a famous unsolved mystery into her own skillful hands. This book is packed with research,
forensic evidence - and even reveals her theory of who done it.
Why I Wake Early: New Poems by Mary Oliver
Oliver has the ability to find continual beauty in the ordinary - mosquitoes, daisies and deer, for
instance - and to portray that beauty with clarity and wonder. This collection is brilliant.
YOUTH AND TEEN
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Junior, a member of the Spokane Indian Reservation, attends a public school off the reservation. Where
does this leave him? It's an insightful fish-out-of-water story full of humor, wit and truth.
The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo
Young Rob Horton, who is still grieving for his mother, finds a caged tiger in the woods near his
home. Later that day, he meets Sistine, the new girl in town. What follows is a remarkable story.
With summer finally here, it's the perfect time to pick up a new bestseller or to take a chance on a
critic-recommended older title. The best critic is a relative, neighbor or friend. So don't think
of the bonus selections listed here or the book list starting on pp. 16 of the June 2008 issue as
suggestions from a professional, but rather as cabin-approved summer reading picks from a book lover.
- Jennifer Derrick
Click here to order a copy of the June 2008 issue or other back issues.
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Moveable Feast: Paella Party
The MAY 2008 issue of CABIN LIFE included the article "Moveable Feast: Paella Deluxe" - with a recipe for Seafood
Deluxe Paella. For cabin goers who prefer a seafood-free paella or have limited access to ingredients, consider
these substitutions:
Vegetarian: Use a variety of your favorite vegetables. Try adding asparagus, green beans,
broccoli, a colorful array of sweet peppers and baby corn. Check out what's local and fresh
at your neighborhood grocery store and toss it in.
Chicken: Use cut-up chicken pieces that are both easy to serve and fun to eat like legs,
thighs, bone-in breasts and wings.
Fish: Use your favorite fresh from the market or the catch of the day from your outing.
Spices like smokey paprika and saffron (while probably not on hand at most cabins) truly
elevate paella beyond any hot dish or stew with similar ingredients and are well worth
the extra effort in procuring.
Remember, there is no one right recipe. Create your own. Then, next time create another one. That's the
fun and adventure of paella. Choose foods that you enjoy and have fun creating something new and delicious!
- Deb Mallin
To read the entire article that accompanies this list, see "Moveable Feast: Paella Deluxe" in the
MAY 2008 issue of CABIN LIFE.
Click here to order a copy of the MARCH 2008 issue or other back issues.
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Photo Tips: Photographing Birds in Flight
Birds are beautiful. No doubt about it, a good photograph of a bird is beautiful too. Some may
joke that the beauty of a bird makes a photographer look talented, but photographing birds is
no easy task. A picture of a bird in "flat" light may fail to convey anything interesting about
the bird at all, and a picture lacking clear focus may leave the viewer frustrated. Many of the
best photographs of birds have captured intense moments where action is apparent everywhere in
the picture and the bird's personality shines from crisp focus on the eye and on the feather
details. Perhaps the most captivating thing about a bird's personality is the fact that birds
enjoy the freedom of flight. Putting that freedom on film is a great challenge!
Location
To increase your odds of capturing the thrill of flight, head out to a great migratory stopover
where birds are abundant and active. Check with your local department of natural resources to find
the best stopovers close to your home or cabin. Starting early is important as the best light and
the most action will probably occur in the early hours of the day.
Lens Choice
You will probably need 400 to 600 millimeters in your lens, but you can get great migration photos
showing birds in beautiful habitats if you have a shorter lens. Many photographers use tripods with
elaborate, flexible camera mounts to support giant lenses. These lenses are very effective but also
very expensive. Shooting from a tripod tends to limit your mobility and flexibility when the action
is fast and changing faster. For my images of birds in flight, I use a fixed focal length lens with
image stabilization (Canon's 300 IS) and a 1.4 X teleconverter with professional, fluorite glass. My
focal length is 420mm with film, but, due to a 1.6X digital conversion, 672mm when I shoot digital
images. The smaller lens and the image stabilization allow me to hand-hold my camera while following
the flight, keeping me mobile and on top of the action.
Focusing
If your eyes are clear and your vision is sharp, you may try your skills at manually focusing the
lens. This makes you a flight-shooting athlete and will keep your adrenaline running high. Effective
manual focus is best achieved by "rolling" the focus of the lens just ahead of and behind the plane
of focus quickly, allowing you to rapidly choose the best focus. I use my motor drive when shooting
this way to ensure that at least one shot will be crisp and tack sharp. Most SLR and digital SLR
cameras have superb auto-focus that can be used effectively in most situations. Setting the auto-focus
to AI Servo will allow the lens to continually readjust its focus as long as the subject is kept in the
same focal point.
Shutter Speed
A fast shutter speed is ideal for shooting images of birds in flight, but there are trade-offs. I prefer
to shoot a film (or digital) ISO of 100 or 200 to keep the image crisp. I shoot with the lens aperture
wide open (f5.6), and I try to keep the sun at my back.
Be sure to study the birds and their patterns. Often you will be able to predict where the action is
developing and better determine how to put the excitement and drama of migration into your images.
- Brian M. Collins
Brian Collins is a regular contributor to CABIN LIFE magazine. Check out his article the "Mysteries
of Migration" in the MARCH 2008 issue of CABIN LIFE.
Click here to order a copy of the MARCH 2008 issue or other back issues.
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Moveable Feast: Well-stocked Pantry
Unexpected guests? Make sure there's always something for dinner.
The first step is to make sure your pantry is stocked with the essentials. Below is a handy
clip-and-save list.
- Deb Mallin
To read the entire article that accompanies this list, see "Moveable Feast: Well-stocked Pantry"
in the MARCH 2008 issue of CABIN LIFE.
Click here to order a copy of the MARCH 2008 issue or other back issues.
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Games For Family Gatherings
KICK THE CAN
Any can will do in this game. One player is deemed "it" and it is his/her responsibility to protect the
can. This player counts to 30 while closing his/her eyes. All of other players - called "kickers" - hide
in the vicinity of the cabin. The "it" player must stay at least 15 feet away from the can unless he/she
sees a hiding kicker. Once he/she sees a kicker, he/she runs to the can, places his/her foot on top of
the can and yells "one, two, three - I see (insert kicker's name here) hiding (insert hiding spot here)!"
That kicker must come out of hiding and sits out. If a kicker makes a mad dash to kick the can and the
"it" player gets to the can first, that kicker is out. If a kicker actually gets to the can and kicks it,
then the "it" player must remain "it" for another round. If the "it" player captures every kicker then
the first player captured becomes the new "it" person. The game ends when all players are either caught
or one actually kicks the can. This game is usually played at night.
GHOST IN THE GRAVEYARD
This game is a cross between traditional Tag and Kick the Can, minus the can. First, establish where
"base," "goal," "home" or "T" is located. The "graveyard" is your playing area around the cabin and the
"ghosts" are the players hiding around the cabin. The "it" player must quietly seek out the ghosts and
tag them before one of them gets back to "goal."
SEVEN STEPS AROUND THE CABIN
One player is designated as the "it" player. The remaining players start together in front of the cabin.
The player who is "it" hides. The goal is for the players to make it all the way around the house without
the "it" player seeing them advance. They are allowed seven running big leaps to get them started around
the house. The "it" player tries to see any one of the players advance by randomly popping out of his/her
hiding place. The "it" player must hide long enough to allow opportunity for each player to advance. When
a player moves and the "it" player catches him/her moving, that player must start over again.
KING OF THE FOREST
Badges with animal names are pre-made out of paper and yarn. The animals are from smallest to largest on
the food chain. "Life cards" are also pre-made out of paper. The kids choose an animal badge at random and
tie it to their wrist or clothing. Each child carries with them three life cards. To play - for example:
Five children have the animal badges of mouse, rabbit, badger, bobcat and human. The human can eat/tag
any of the animals below him/her, the bobcat can eat/tag any animal except the human, the badger can
eat/tag the rabbit or the mouse, and the rabbit and the mouse want to hide and not get tagged at all. A
child who is tagged can turn in a life card to continue playing. Once all of a child's life cards have
been redeemed, he/she are out of the game upon being tagged again. The game ends when the majority of
participants run out of life cards. There really are no winners, but the kids learn an important lesson
on what it's like to be an animal in the wild.
SCAVENGER HUNT
Group the kids into two teams. Provide an identical list to each team consisting of objects that each
team must find. The winning team is the one that finds all the items the quickest. Some sample items are:
old birds nest (for a winter game), leaves, sticks, a mitten, rope, spoon and charcoal. Just be creative.
To read about tips on planning family gatherings check out A Festive Family Gathering Plan in the Nov/Dec
2007 issue of Cabin Life magazine.
Click here to order a copy of the Nov/Dec 2007
issue or other back issues.
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Shopping Tips for the Stargazer
You can research inexpensive telescopes, binoculars and astronomy items online at sites such as
www.telescopes.com,
www.cloudynights.com,
www.letstalkstars.com and
www.atronomy.com (purposely spelled without the s).
These companies offer advice and some represent a full line of manufacturers.
A rating system by consumers at www.telescopes.com I found to be a helpful feature. You can read what
others think of products that they have purchased and get some good feedback. However, be wary of
claims on the ease of aligning and finding celestial objects with the new "GoTo" scopes. It is easy,
but not all scopes are created equal. Compare scopes by using the buyer feedback information and
product ratings before you jump in and buy.
Additionally, many sites have forums so you can ask questions of other stargazers. You'll also
find on-line experts who can advise you on which product might be best for your specific needs
and budget.
I learned that for just a few hundred dollars, I could buy 10 times the telescope that I could buy
fifteen years ago. For about the cost of a good slalom water ski, you can have an awesome new telescope.
Also, complete bundled packages that include telescope, tripod, computer-tracking GPS mount and eyepiece
make it much easier to buy what you need to enjoy the night sky.
Celestron makes a hand-held gadget, the Sky Scout, which is advertised as a planetarium in the palm of
your hand. While holding the unit, about the size of a medium camcorder, and pointing it at the sky,
a built-in GPS triangulates satellite technology, telling the unit where you're standing. Using the
set menu, you then scroll to what you want to locate. Arrows that are visible while looking through
the eyepiece will direct you to the object. No maps, no flashlight, no telescope! You can select any
star, and the Sky Scout will tell you the star's name. It will even audibly give you the statistics
and history of the star, if you like. Kids love it. Just remember to bring extra AA batteries to keep
it powered.
- Steve Umland
To read about Steve's over-the-top stargazing hobby, check out "The Sky is the Limit" in the Sept/
Oct 2007 issue of Cabin Life magazine.
Click here to order a copy of the Sept/Oct 2007 issue or other back issues.
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Handy Checklists for Preparing the Cabin for Winter
Adjust as needed for your climate and your frequency of winter use.
OUTSIDE DUTIES:
- Clean and store boats, dock ornaments, ladder, life jackets and ski equipment.
- Mow the lawn one last time (if you have a lawn at your place).
- Clean and winterize lawnmower and other gas-powered yard equipment.
- Rake and remove leaves within at least 30 feet from your cabin.
- Store fire pit decorations, emptied flower pots, drained hoses and sprinklers and deflated water toys.
- Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents, pipes, windows and doors; then seal leaks with caulk or insulation to keep out cold air and pests.
- Insulate pipes in crawl spaces by wrapping them with heat tape or thermostatically-controlled heat cables; also open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to un-insulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.
- Clean out gutters, and inspect roof for shingles that are raised or cracked; leaking roofs and clogged gutters can lead to significant water damage.
- If your lake is prone to ice movement, take in dock and boat hoists. Remove hoist motor and electric line.
- Turn off outside pump breaker, hoist motor breaker, dock light breaker.
- If you're in the snow belt, store outdoor furniture, picnic tables
and hammocks.
- Make sure your winter sports gear is ready to go. Snowmobile and ATV tuned up? Skis waxed? Where are those snowshoes?
INSIDE DUTIES:
- Ensure that the power and water are in the proper mode for vacancy.
- Set thermostat at the appropriate temperature for the region. If you heat your place in the winter, set the thermostat no lower than 55 degrees; if you keep the A/C on when you're gone, set it to 80 degrees.
- Clean furnace filter to maintain an efficient heating and cooling system and reduce the risk of fire.
- If you're shutting off the refrigerator, leave the door cracked open to prevent musty smells from developing. Also, unplug computers and major appliances. (Last spring my family lost a computer, two televisions, a microwave and a dryer to a powerful bolt of lightning.)
- Pull shades, or cover furniture to keep it from being bleached by the sun.
- Put mothballs or dryer sheets near linens.
- Restock and store first-aid kit.
- Take out all perishable foods; store those that remain in air-tight/critter-tight containers. If you don't heat the cabin in winter, carry out canned goods so they don't freeze.
- Turn off dehumidifier and hot water heater.
- Close damper for fireplace. Seal box to prevent critters from entering cabin.
- If you don't heat in winter, drain the pipes by attaching a hose to the lowest point in the plumbing, then blow out all water with an air compressor.
- Winterize washing machine; kitchen appliances.
- Christy Heitger
Closing up the cabin is not what it once was - at least not for all families. Sure, some owners still
tightly button up their cabin after Labor Day, not to return until May. But, increasingly folks are
finding alternatives to locking up their investment for a good portion of the year. Read more about
the phenomenon of year-round cabin living in the article "Closing Up," in the Sept/Oct 2007 issue of
Cabin Life magazine.
Click here to order a copy of the Sept/Oct 2007 issue or other back issues.
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Fishing Trip Planning Tips
What you need to know before you contact the lodge.
Even for those of us with cabins or lakehomes on great fishing lakes, rivers or
streams, the lure of a fabulous fishing vacation is hard to resist. A fishing trip
offers a chance to experience a get-away-from-it-all wilderness adventure and, of
course, a chance to catch big, plentiful fish of different species.
Where do you start in planning your trip?
Good places to shop for fishing trip destinations include: magazines such as CABIN
LIFE and fishing periodicals that display advertisements for fishing lodges; sport
shows where lodge representatives exhibit; and the Internet (using search terms such
as "fishing lodges").
Before you begin talking one-on-one with lodge operators, either by phone, e-mail or
in person at a show, narrow your search by thinking about the following questions:
What is our budget? (Motel 6 or Four Seasons)
What species of fish do we want to catch? (yellow perch vs. grayling)
How long a time do we have to spend on the trip? (long weekend vs. week-long)
How far are we willing to travel? (across the county vs. cross country)
By what means are we willing to travel? (planes vs. trains vs. automobiles vs. boats)
What level of accommodations are we willing to accept? (wall tents and outhouses vs. cedar chalets and bidets)
Do we want to do our own cooking or have meals prepared for us? (housekeeping vs. American plan)
It is important that the entire family or group planning to go on the trip agree on the
answers to the above. What one member may consider "roughing it" may be "too cushy" for
another and a three-pound smallmouth might be the trophy of a lifetime for one, yet a
trash fish to another. By getting everyone on the same page before you call a lodge
operator to discuss a trip, you save both parties' time and you can concentrate on
places that may actually live up to everyone's expectations.
- Dan Armitage
To read about one family's memorable fishing trip (to Canada), check out "Angling for
Memories" in the APRIL 2006 issue of CABIN LIFE magazine. The APRIL 2006 issue also
contains CABIN LIFE'S 2006 Fishing Guide - where you'll find tips for catch-and-release
angling and striking attire to help make your fishing outings comfortable and
successful.
Click here to order a single copy of the April 2006 issue or other back issues.
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Float to Boat Another Day
Saving a life has never been easier.
Innovations in personal flotation devices (PFDs) have made them more comfortable
than ever. And PFDs save lives. Of the 703 people who died in boating accidents
in 2003, 481 drowned. Of those, 416 lives (86 percent) probably could have been
saved if boaters had been wearing a lifejacket.
A PFD is especially crucial when boating in the cold water of early spring. If
you are suddenly tossed from the boat, you may be in serious jeopardy even if
you don’t hit your head on the way in and even if you are an excellent
swimmer. Sudden immersion in cold water causes an gasp reflex, which can lead
a person to swallow up to 2 or 3 liters of water in one involuntary gulp. Even
if the initial gasp is not fatal, the hyperventilation that follows can lead
to rapid hypothermia, confusion, disorientation and death. If you are wearing
a PFD, your chances of survival increase dramatically.
And why not wear a PFD? Today there are easy-to-wear PFDs for everyone: slim
and trim units that only inflate when you either hit the water or activate them
manually; side-vented models with wide arm holes that make fishing more comfortable;
anatomically correct models that fit a woman’s figure; and buff-looking,
form-fitting neoprene vests for easy movement during water sports.
Another boating season is under way. Remember the PFDs and save a life – your
own or your passengers’.
The following PFD guidelines are provided courtesy of RiseToTheTop.org.
How Many PFDs Do You Need?
• The United States Coast Guard says you must have USCG-approved PFDs on
your recreational boat. How many and what type PFDs you’ll need depends
on the number of people on board, the size and type of your boat, and the kind
of boating you do.
• You must have one of any of these wearable PFDs for each person on board:
Offshore Life Jacket (Type I); Near-Shore Buoyant Vest (Type II); Flotation Aid
(Type III); Special Use Device (Type V).
• Additionally, if your boat is 16 feet or longer, and is not a canoe or
kayak, you must also have at least one Throwable Device (Type IV). For example,
if there are four people on your 16-foot boat, you must have at least five PFDs – four
wearable PFDs and one throwable PFD.
Trying on Your PFD
• Try on your PFD to see if it fits comfortably snug. Then test it in shallow
water to see how it handles. Check the buoyancy of your PFD in the water by relaxing
your body and letting your head tilt back. Make sure your PFD keeps your chin
above water and you can breathe easily. If your mouth is not well above the water,
get a new PFD or one with more buoyancy.
• A PFD is designed not to ride-up on the body when in the water. But if
a wearer’s stomach is larger than the chest, ride-up may occur. Before
use, test your PFD in the water to establish that excessive ride-up does not
impair PFD performance.
• Be aware: your PFD may not act the same in swift or rough water as in
calm water. The clothes you wear and the items in your pockets also may change
the way your PFD works.
Selecting a PFD for a Child
• Children’s PFDs are sized according to weight range and chest size.
Weigh your child and measure his/her chest under the arms before you go to pick
one out.
• Be sure to try the PFD on the child in the store. If one PFD does not
work well, try another style. Be sure it fits snugly. To test it, lift the child
up by the shoulders of the PFD to make sure it will not slip over the chin or
ears.
• If the child does not swim, a Type II device is recommended to help keep
the child face up in the water. (It is difficult for a child to float in a face-up
position because of the distribution of the body weight and a child’s tendency
to struggle or try to climb out of the water.)
• Crotch straps are particularly important on children’s PFDs, as
they keep the device in place. They should be used whenever the PFD is on.
• Even though a PFD is designed to keep a child afloat, it does not substitute
for supervision. Never leave a child unattended.
Caring For Your PFD
Follow these pointers to be sure your PFD stays in good condition:
• Don’t alter your PFD. An altered PFD may not save your life. If
yours does not fit, get one that does.
• PFDs lose buoyancy when crushed, so don’t put heavy objects on your
PFD or use it for a kneeling pad or boat fender.
• Let your PFD drip-dry thoroughly before putting it away (Never dry your
PFD on a radiator, heater or any other direct heat source). Always stow it in
a well-ventilated place.
• Don’t leave your PFD on board for long periods when the boat is
not in use.
• Practice throwing your Type IV PFD. Cushions are thrown best underhand.
Guidelines provided by RiseToTheTop.org; Cabin Life Magazine is a proud sponsor
of RiseToTheTop.org.
Statistics provided by U.S. Coast Guard
Click here to order a single copy of the Feb/March 2005 issue or other back issues.
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Baby
Animals: Abandoned or Not?
More often than not, baby animals are not really orphaned. The parent may be
either off foraging, or observing from a safe distance. Accidents do happen at
times, though. If you happen upon obviously vulnerable babies and you've waited
a time for their parents to return, here are some guidelines for what to look
for, what to do, and what risks may be associated with this baby animal. |
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Rabbits |
Mother not at nest during day. Babies are
self-sufficient if fur is fluffy, ears are standing, and are size of adult human
fist. |
If not injured, put it back where you found
it. |
Unlikely carrier of rabies.
Known carrier of tularemia in some states. |
Raccoons, skunks, and foxes
|
Often play alone in mother's care. Mother
will retrieve if young wander off. If crying, weak, or sickly, need attention. |
Do not pick up with bare hands. Handle very
cautiously. |
Possible carriers of rabies. Raccoons common
carriers of parvovirus, which is fatal to dogs. |
Squirrels
|
If baby is found, probably fell out of nest
and may have concussion or mother may be dead. Is probably hungry. |
Keep in warm, quiet, and covered box until
you get help*. |
Not likely carrier of rabies. |
Chipmunks
|
Very unusual to find a baby. Mother is probably
dead, and baby is hungry. |
Keep in warm, quiet, and covered box until
you get help*. |
Not likely carrier of rabies. |
Groundhogs
|
Very unusual to find a baby. May have washed
out of burrow and needs attention. |
Handle very cautiously. Keep in warm, quiet,
and covered box until you get help*. |
Although rare, have been found to carry rabies. |
Opossums
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Self-sufficient when body is 8-10 inches long.
If smaller one is found alone, probably needs attention. |
Keep in warm, quiet, and covered box until
you get help*. |
Rarely contract rabies because of low body
temperature. |
Bats
|
Pups usually found in July and August. Probably
fell out tree or housing and needs attention. |
Do not pick up with bare hands. Handle very
cautiously. |
Possible carrier of rabies. |
Deer
|
Fawns often found in high grass lying quietly
alone. If not crying, making distress sounds, or injured, probably is not abandoned. |
Leave alone and check back in 12 hours if
concerned. Do not attempt to rescue an injured fawn without first contacting
rehabilitator. |
Not likely carrier of rabies. |
Nestling Songbirds
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Partially feathered. Should be alert with
gaping mouth. If listless and cold, may need attention. |
If healthy, look for nest and put back. If
featherless and cold, hold in your hand to warm it. Baby birds need to eat every
30 minutes; contact rehabilitator quickly. Tie or secure a fallen nest back into
a tree. |
Not likely carrier of rabies. May have external
parasites |
Fledgling Songbirds
|
Fully feathered but learning to fly. Should
be bright and alert. |
If healthy, leave alone or place in safe spot
near nest. Mother will not come near if she sees you. |
Not likely carrier of rabies. May have external
parasites |
* To seek help with a seemingly orphaned baby animal, contact an authorized
wildlife rehabilitator. If you don't know who to call, try your district office
for the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, or your local animal shelter.
In any case, don't be surprised if you're told to just leave the animal alone
to let nature take its course.
Resources:
"The Wildlife Reference Sheet," Robyn Graboski, L.W.R., state Wildlife Rehabilitator,
University of Minnesota, www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028
The Humane Society of the United States, www.hsus.org
To read more about baby animals, and to learn about the fascinating topic
of wildlife imprinting, read "Forever Wild" in the June/July 2003 issue of Cabin
Life.
Click here to order a single copy of the June/July 2003 issue or other back issues.
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