The Flight of the Hummingbirds

Way up in Holly Springs lays a natural treasure many Mississippians may not be aware of. The Strawberry Plains Audubon Center is a 2500-acre tract of Marshall County land left to the National Audubon Society by Ruth Finley and Margaret Finley Shackelford, sisters whose ancestors acquired the land in the 1830s. The sisters were raised with an appreciation of nature, especially of birds; their mother's pet parakeet could say his name and phone number: "Chuckles Finley, 63" (McAlexander).

That love of nature and birds is evident at the Strawberry Plains Audubon Center today, where visitors can attempt to check almost 200 different birds off the Bird Checklist. One bird that visitors will be certain to see in September is the ruby-throated hummingbird; as the hummingbirds migrate south for the winter, they stop to refuel on the various tasty delights cultivated for them at Strawberry Plains. From Audubon.org: "Feeders and an abundance of native plants that provide nectar and insects help the hummingbirds pack on the required weight for the 22-hour Gulf crossing." (22 hours?!) You can observe this pit stop firsthand this year at the Hummingbird Migration and Nature Celebration, held September 9-11 from 9 am-5 pm. The festival features speakers, wagon rides, a native plant sale, and all the hummingbirds you care to admire.

For more information on Strawberry Fields, the Mississippi documentary film company Blue Magnolia Films has produced a gorgeous film about the center and its commitment to conservation.



Also, Hubert H. McAlexander's Strawberry Plains Audubon Center: Four Centuries of a Mississippi Landscape provides the history of the land itself-from Cherokee Indians, to the slaves that worked the land, to the family that donated it so that its treasures could be preserved and enjoyed.

Happy hummingbirding!

Birds of a Feather

As you may know, artist Carolyn Wright is being featured in the Mississippi Library Commission's November-December art exhibit. We think her feather art is awesome, but did you know that there are federal and state laws regulating which feathers can be bought and sold as art?

According to the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, it is illegal to "pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill, attempt to take, capture or kill, possess, offer for sale, sell, offer to purchase, purchase, deliver for shipment, ship, cause to be shipped, deliver for transport, carry or cause to be carried by any means whatever, receive for shipment, transportation or carriage, or export at any time, or in any manner, any migratory bird, included in the terms of this Convention...for the protection of migratory birds...or any part, nest or egg of any such bird" unless permitted by regulations. There's a long list of birds covered by the law, meaning that they and their feathers are off limits. (Even if you want to create gorgeous and unique art!)

According to the Wildlife and Fisheries Public Notice 3816-Sale of Game in the State of Mississippi it is lawful for "any part of a wild turkey, expect the meat or a mounted turkey" to be bought and sold. That is why Mississippi artists engaging in this art form often use turkey feathers as a medium. Who knew?!

The art exhibit is open from November 4th until December 19th. There will also be a reception on December 1st from 5:00 pm till 7:00 pm at the Mississippi Library Commission. We hope to see you there.