Photos & questions from The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill
May 27, 2010
Thanks to everyone who showed up for The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill showing we had at Columbia Public Library. We have some photos from the evening below.
Here are some questions about the film that you can respond to in the comments section of this blog post:
1. The birds are shown to have many human characteristics. What was your favorite example of this in the film?
2. Why do you think Mark cares so much for the birds?
3. Do you think accepting non-native birds in an area is a good thing or a bad thing?
4. What do you think Mark learns from caring for the birds?
5. Can you think of any examples of non-native animals or insects in your own “backyard” that you feel connected to and adds its own distinctive characteristics to your area?
Here’s a couple answers:
1. I thought it was quite interesting how the birds tilted their heads while watching the hawks and would murmur among themselves about it. Kind of reminds you of how humans gawk at the dangers of society and grumble to each other.
4. I think Mark learned a lot about caring for others through caring for the birds. The birds made him focus and concentrate on their quirks & needs, and it seems that he was in a better position to relate towards human beings at the end of the movie.
nice post. thanks.
Hey guys, this is Judy, one of the people that helped with this program (I was the one with the camera).
1. I think my favorite human characteristic is that these birds carry on intimate relationships like people do. And just as people do, they break up and find other mates. I always thought they reproduced and moved on. Another thing I found interesting is that they have a mourning period for the loss of a loved one.
2. As we discussed last night, we do see a lot of Mark in those birds, especially Connor, who was getting older, didn’t have a partner, and always looked out for others, even if they were of a different species.
3. I think as long as it doesn’t interfere with the local ecosystem too much, it could be a good thing. What people don’t realize sometimes is that the earth is very adaptable. What is now considered native might not have been hundreds or thousands of years ago. But by way of nature (windflow, weather) or by mankind (shipping, global warming) they have migrated and learned to live with each other.
4. Mark, through this whole experience, learned what the next chapter in his life should be. He had been a musician years ago but has been at a standstill for years. By caring for the birds, it led him to document, take photos, and journal his process. He became a writer without trying to become a writer.
5. Now, since I’m not native to this area, I’m not sure what was here to begin with but I do have a story to share. I’m currently renting a house near the downtown area and when my husband and I moved in, we discovered 2 birds nests on our back porch. I found out they were morning doves and there were babies in the nest! Well, as the summer went by, I noticed one day that the birds were not there anymore so we assumed the babies were probably old enough to fly away and that was it. Then the winter went by and as everything was starting to melt and we got some warm spells, I slowy began to notice that a morning dove was building a nest in the same exact area! So even if my back porch does have a corner of bird poop, I don’t think this house would be the same without seeing morning doves everyday.
5. Now, since I’m not native to this area, I’m not sure what was here to begin with but I do have a story to share. I’m currently renting a house near the downtown area and when my husband and I moved in, we discovered 2 birds nests on our back porch. I found out they were morning doves and there were babies in the nest! Well, as the summer went by, I noticed one day that the birds were not there anymore so we assumed the babies were probably old enough to fly away and that was it. Then the winter went by and as everything was starting to melt and we got some warm spells, I slowy began to notice that a morning dove was building a nest in the same exact area! So even if my back porch does have a corner of bird poop, I don’t think this house would be the same without seeing morning doves everyday.