I apologize for this late blog post, but life kind of caught up with me. It was either a) I didn't have time to blog, or b) I wasn't in the mood to blog. But with a lot of things happening right now, I might have it in me to do two posts. Anyway, in this post I'll be talking about my third WT experience which took place at the World Bird Sanctuary in Valley Park, MO. And let me tell you, this was probably the most experience with animal behavior that I have ever had. It even tops my internship at the Zoo of Acadiana where I was basically a zookeeper for a week....Okay, so I was "shadowing" zookeepers--but I did some pretty cool hands-on stuff that I feel I wouldn't have gotten at other zoos.
Anyway, so at WBS, I worked in both the hospital and the Education Center (which is also known as the "Nature Center"). While the Education Center was cool--it also housed reptiles and mammals--I felt more attuned to the hospital. That's a weird to say, isn't it? Most people (and animals) run AWAY from the word "hospital," and I don't blame them. What made this experience different from the zoo and the Humane Society, was how devoted these people were. That doesn't go to say that the people at the zoo and HSMO aren't as devoted and passionate about animals; however, there's something about releasing animals that makes it worth so much more. The people working and volunteering at the hospital aren't just focused on the animals, but on the environment and ecosystem as a whole. Our effects on animals ultimately will have an effect on the environment, and vice versa. WBS isn't solely about helping animals, but helping and nurturing the relationship between animals and nature. After my experience with a course titled "The Ecology of Medieval Art," I only wished I had interned at WBS sooner, because that was EXACTLY what the course was about.
The man in charge of WBS, Walter Crawford (a.k.a. "The Birdman") will often say that he just wants to leave behind a better world for his grandchildren. Do you realize how simple, yet empowering that statement is? Better yet, "leaving behind a better world" doesn't involve technology. It doesn't involve making the world more comfortable for us to live in, per say, but rather, leaving behind a world--a legacy--that would positively encourage the next generations to do the same. After all, how can we look forward to a better world if we don't take care of (and cherish) the one we have now? What good is encouraging children to look towards their "shining futures," when we're presenting and leaving behind a world that is less than that? Alright, enough of the cheesy, philosophical questions.
The main reason why I chose to intern at the WBS was so that I could observe the behavior of these wild animals, and also experience this behavior in person, in an effort to understand animals in general so that I may accurately portray these animals in anthropomorphic writing. Now, when I say anthropomorphic writing I don't mean the stuff that you see in Bambi or Dumbo (and Bambi is very near and dear to my heart). But rather, present animal behavior in a way that people will be able to identify (or somewhat identify) the behavior in real life. People always want a definite answer when it comes to understanding animals: they want one answer that is the absolute truth. Well the thing is, there isn't just one answer, there are multiple. A lot has to do with context, but some of it also depends on the species and type. But one thing's for sure, an animal that acts out does not act out simply because "it felt like it," or because it "doesn't like people/men/women/children." No, if an animal acts out, there's something wrong. Something (or someone) has triggered the response. There's another word of wisdom that Mr. Crawford will always say--you can always learn something from animals. Animals, and nature, have a lot to offer--even if it's just sitting back in the background and observing. And if there weren't so many ignorant people, people who are wanna-be-animal-experts, or overly zealous animal-enthusiasts, more people would realize that and possibly heed that piece of advice.
So at the end of my Winter Term, I wrote a chapter of my book that dealt with the location known as "Senki." It's the place that houses the Sacred Flame of Earth, and is inhibited by both people and animals...but mostly animals. In that chapter, there is a red-tailed hawk. I sent it to my supervisor, who read it and responded that my portrayal of the hawk was very realistic and that the behaviors it displayed were accurate. So I completed my goal, which made me more than happy, and I can only imagine the writing I'll be able to do...when I have the time of course. I also have a reliable resource now, which is something that, as a writer, is VERY important to have.
Anyway, so that's all I have to tell of my inspirations. I'm a very hands-on person, and I always jump at the opportunity that allows me to experience things in person. I know that most authors would probably be satisfied with just looking and observing, or even consulting secondary sources, but for me, I'd rather experience it first-hand. It allows me to write things more accurately and realistically. If I've read or heard that red-tailed hawks have the raspy scream that Hollywood often tags to eagles and vultures in movies, I want to experience it first hand (which, by the way, I did...a good 3 or 4 times. Got my heart to jump every time, too). I hope this inspires and encourages you to think more about the world you live in, both animals and plants, as well as encourage you to keep an opened mind. Your ability to learn new things never ends. We all can learn a thing or two.
For more information about the World Bird Sanctuary check out the following links:
WBS Website - http://www.worldbirdsanctuary.org/
WBS Blog - http://world-bird-sanctuary.blogspot.com/
WBS on FaceBook - https://www.facebook.com/WorldBirdSanctuary
