 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
| HomeDiscussion GroupsGeneral TopicsCat AnecdotesHealth and BehaviorRescue CatKB.com Contact UsLink To UsSearch & Site Map |
Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / May 2006Doing what's natural
Last evening Mooch, our little tuxedoed resident stray, spotted a bird while he was eating from the food bowl we always put on the veranda for him when he appears. In a black and white flash he abandoned the bowl and leapt for the bird, caught it in mid-air and made off with it. It was sad, but it was simply Mooch's instincts kicking in. Our civilized society doesn't condone bloodshed (except in our slaughterhouses - hamburger anyone?) But shouldn't we make exceptions for nature and her innocent killers? http://www.flippyscatpage.com/moochtwo.html >Last evening Mooch, our little tuxedoed resident stray, spotted a bird >while he was eating from the food bowl we always put on the veranda for [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > >http://www.flippyscatpage.com/moochtwo.html I do, although it pains me. I used to love to watch nature programs, because animals are so fascinating to me, but they always have some animal either being eaten, or dying the kind of cruel, nasty death that they do out in the wild (e.g. bitten by snake, lying paralyzed for days, and dying harassed by hyenas-- arrrgh!), or having their babies killed by some , or all that awful stuff. I know that's what happens in nature, I'm just too squeamish to watch it. Theresa Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com Make Levees, Not War > I do, although it pains me. I used to love to watch nature programs, > because animals are so fascinating to me, but they always have some [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > babies killed by some , or all that awful stuff. I know that's what > happens in nature, I'm just too squeamish to watch it. Me too. I don't scold the furkids when they catch and kill something. Whenever possible I'll get their prey away from them as soon as they catch it so I can I release it pretty much unhanrmed, but sometimes they're too fast for me. But it is indeed in their nature. Dan > I do, although it pains me. I used to love to watch nature > programs, because animals are so fascinating to me, but they always [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > know that's what happens in nature, I'm just too squeamish to watch > it. Me, too. Anyway, there's a difference between recognizing that's what happens and enjoying watching it!  Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > I used to love to watch nature programs, > because animals are so fascinating to me, but they always have some [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > happens in nature, I'm just too squeamish to watch it. > Theresa I agree, and I know that it also deeply troubles the camerapersons and others behind the lenses of those documentaries - the ones who film the carnage but don't want to compromise the authenticity of what they're presenting by interfering and saving the victims of the predators. Many of them say it's the worst part of what's otherwise a very rewarding and satisfying work. > I agree, and I know that it also deeply troubles the camerapersons and > others behind the lenses of those documentaries - the ones who film the > carnage but don't want to compromise the authenticity of what they're > presenting by interfering and saving the victims of the predators. And if there were to save the victims, they'd be endangering the predators, who only have so much energy in which to chase, tackle, and kill their prey. If they don't get some calories into them after expending all that energy in the chase, they can be in big trouble. So whenever I watch a show that has a predator chasing down and killing a prey animal, I always remind myself, "They're *both* running for their lives." That makes it seem less cruel to me, though no less painful for the animal who dies, of course. But it's just as much a matter of life and death for the predator. One thing about those shows is that they often tend to glorify those chase and kill sequences, maybe because they think it'll increase TV ratings. That's what they figure people want to see, maybe? So if you watch them regularly, you get a high dose of it. Lots of fascinating stuff goes on in nature, but we tend to get a disproportionate amount of killing on TV nature shows. There's a difference between showing nature as it really is, and reveling in the bloodshed, because that's what TV producers think will be the most exciting. So that might be part of why it gets so hard to watch. Joyce > > I agree, and I know that it also deeply troubles the camerapersons and > > others behind the lenses of those documentaries - the ones who film the [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > might be part of why it gets so hard to watch. > Joyce That's a very valid comment - that the emphasis on violence and killing seems to be a direct reflection of producers' concepts of popular taste. Certainly it applies to human bloodshed in TV action programs, and especially in the movies. Fortunately there are other enlightened production units that present nature programs in perspective - i.e., violence, but only where it's absolutely relevant, and in proportion to its actual occurence in nature as part of the life cycle of the creatures we're watching. The National Geographic specials, for instance, almost always get it right. On the other hand, depicting nature as a happy-fuzzy sanitized eden where there's no killing at all is wrong and misleading. Even Bambi's mother died - granted, from a hunter's bullet and not a natural predator. > Even Bambi's mother died - granted, from a hunter's bullet and not a > natural predator. I wouldn't say that humans aren't predators ... Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > > Even Bambi's mother died - granted, from a hunter's bullet and not a > > natural predator. > I wouldn't say that humans aren't predators ... I wouldn't either. Human predators are the worst kind. They don't act out of instinct, they act out of reason, or rather, unreason. Many books have been written about human predators, including "People Who Prey-Human Predators" by William J. Turman. He says, "Learn to recognize Predators. They will be with us always. Whereas predators are a necessity in nature and the wild outdoors; in human society they are devastating. Eliminate those types from your life whenever possible. You will be much happier." Good advnice, Mr. Turman. http://www.outcrybookreview.com/predator.htm > I wouldn't either. Human predators are the worst kind. They don't > act out of instinct, they act out of reason, or rather, unreason. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > http://www.outcrybookreview.com/predator.htm The premise sounds interesting, but that blurb is a turn-off, at least to me. "This book is not intended for intellectual giants (or pseudo intellectuals), that pick things to pieces for the sake of their egos." Sounds like someone who doesn't take criticism or logic very well. (Mind you, I haven't read the book, but when someone prefaces a book by saying that they don't want people to pick it to pieces, it's usually because an educated reader would see plenty to pick at.) Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > > I wouldn't either. Human predators are the worst kind. They don't > > act out of instinct, they act out of reason, or rather, unreason. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > > > http://www.outcrybookreview.com/predator.htm > The premise sounds interesting, but that blurb is a turn-off, at least > to me. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > usually because an educated reader would see plenty to pick at.) > monique <sigh> I liked the quote, not what I read about the book. > <sigh> I liked the quote, not what I read about the book. The <sigh> was intended for the the book, not your comment, Monique! I felt the same as you did about the way it was described. Bobcat >> <sigh> I liked the quote, not what I read about the book. > > The <sigh> was intended for the the book, not your comment, Monique! > I felt the same as you did about the way it was described. Bobcat *nod* got it! Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > Fortunately there are other enlightened > production units that present nature programs in perspective - i.e., [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > nature as a happy-fuzzy sanitized eden where there's no killing at all > is wrong and misleading. Exactly. That's why I said there's a difference between showing nature as it really is, and glorifying the killing. There are more choices than just the two extremes of violence-as-entertainment on one end, and a Disnified paradise where everything's nicey-nicey, on the other. I like the stuff by the Canada Film Board. Animal Planet has a show called Champions of the Wild, which is made in Canada. The focus is on endangered animals in different parts of the world, and the people who work in conservation trying to save them, or provide a decent life in captivity for them, etc. It is often sad, because these people are usually fighting an uphill battle against things like human encroachment on habitat, poaching, pet trade, etc. For some species, captivity is the only safe place. But in other cases, conservationists, sometimes working in tandem with local government and/or law enforcement, have brought about amazing comebacks of species that were thought to be doomed. The show has a peaceful feel and an intelligent narration by a guy with a lovely speaking voice (can't remember his name). For US viewers, AP shows this program at 6AM Eastern time, 3AM Pacific. I my bad old unemployed days, I would often watch this show while it was on. :) But if that hour is too late/early, that's what VCRs/TiVo is for! Joyce > > I agree, and I know that it also deeply troubles the camerapersons and > > others behind the lenses of those documentaries - the ones who film the [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > >Joyce Many, many years ago I saw quite a long film clip on some documentary program that showed a Thompson's Gazelle avoiding being captured by a cheetah, the fastest animal on earth. The gazelle manage to do this by being able to change directions much more quickly than the vastly faster cheetah. The cheetah became exhausted and eventually gave up. it was really interesting to watch! This is why predators so often go after the young, old, sick or weakened prey. The normal, healthy animals can be great deal of work to catch. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Life without cats would be only marginally worth living." -TC, and the unmercifully, relentlessly, sweet calico kitty, Kenzie. How you behave towards cats here below determines your status in Heaven. - Robert Heinlein Life is very difficult. Once you understand that, life becomes easier. -Buddha > Last evening Mooch, our little tuxedoed resident stray, spotted a bird > while he was eating from the food bowl we always put on the veranda for [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > http://www.flippyscatpage.com/moochtwo.html I love wild birds and birdwatching is a hobby of mine. That's the reason I didn't choose to have a cat. I didn't reckon on them choosing me.. Both my cats arrived of their own accord, both had spent time living outside on their wits, especially Kitty FC who'd lived out for years. It's not a surprise to me, therefore, that they both catch birds, although I wish they wouldn't as they both get plenty to eat. Kitty's preferred food is collared doves, she would ignore any cat food if she could just have a collared dove to eat.. Boyfie hunts but he hardly ever eats what he catches, he gives it to KFC. It seems more of a hobby for him. Tweed > > Last evening Mooch, our little tuxedoed resident stray, spotted a bird > > while he was eating from the food bowl we always put on the veranda for [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > Tweed Lindy used to be a hunter, but as she has aged, she retired. Nanki-Poo is quite the hunter. He was deserted by people who owned him and then moved away, so he had to hunt to stay alive for some time before he was caught and turned in to the shelter. As Lindy did, he brings in his prey while it is still alive, I guess so it has less chance of getting away. I keep a "critter box" which I use for rescuing what can be rescued and for removing corpses. I can usually save the birds, but the rodents generally get caught again if I manage to get them and release them. Nanki-poo eats baby birds :-( and evicerates mice. Larger birds and rats are left virtually intact for me to remove. Joy >> Last evening Mooch, our little tuxedoed resident stray, spotted a >> bird while he was eating from the food bowl we always put on the [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > Tweed I think I'm very lucky, even though Baggy does catch birds occasionally, it's only 5 or 6 each year. Snoopy hasn't caught one for at least ten years. I get lost of birds in the garden, I've started making a list of all the species I've seen, so far it's 32 in the garden plus a few more locally. A couple of years ago a Scarlett Rosefinch was hanging around the churchyard for several weeks. SignatureAdrian (Owned by Snoopy and Bagheera) Cats leave pawprints on your heart. http://community.webshots.com/user/clowderuk >>> Last evening Mooch, our little tuxedoed resident stray, spotted a >>> bird while he was eating from the food bowl we always put on the [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > the garden plus a few more locally. A couple of years ago a Scarlett > Rosefinch was hanging around the churchyard for several weeks. I forgot the link. http://www.rspb.org.uk/birds/guide/s/scarletrosefinch/index.asp SignatureAdrian (Owned by Snoopy and Bagheera) Cats leave pawprints on your heart. http://community.webshots.com/user/clowderuk >>>>Last evening Mooch, our little tuxedoed resident stray, spotted a >>>>bird while he was eating from the food bowl we always put on the [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > I forgot the link. > http://www.rspb.org.uk/birds/guide/s/scarletrosefinch/index.asp A pretty bird to fit a pretty name Pam S. > >>I think I'm very lucky, even though Baggy does catch birds > >>occasionally, it's only 5 or 6 each year. Snoopy hasn't caught one > >>for at least ten years. I get lost of birds in the garden, I've > >>started making a list of all the species I've seen, so far it's 32 in > >>the garden plus a few more locally. A couple of years ago a Scarlett > >>Rosefinch was hanging around the churchyard for several weeks. > A pretty bird to fit a pretty name > Pam S. Yes it is. "Scarlett Rosefinch" - it would make a good name for a character in a Victorian romance novel! |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.