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April 16, 2020
Earth Day, Stiles Thomas, and a Barred Owl
My column for The Record today is about Stiles Thomas and my most unforgettable birding moment, and why they matter on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, which arrives next week.
You can download it here:
Download JWright BirdWatcher TheRecord-20200416-LF03-0
I write of a conservation ethic says that to save the planet, we need to get serious about protecting it and nurturing it so that it will still thrive not just next week or next year but decades from now.
This philosophy applies on all levels, from our towns to our regions to our nations — from the real James Bond's Caribbean and Thomas' United States to the Earth itself.
I am thankful for all the environmental groups that share and implement that philosophy.
In the column, I ask readers to share their most memorable birding moment. I hope you will, too.
Write to me at celeryfarm@gmail.com.
10 comments
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I had forgotten about this. Great pix, too!
Thanks for sharing! -
Very nice Jim. Stiles is a man who always thinks long-term, in addition to what good he can do in the present moment (like rescuing and releasing injured birds). My Stiles birding memory is when I got some photos of bluebirds passing though the Celery Farm. I emailed to you, you informed Stiles, and he showed up at my house, like, minutes later: “Hi John, I heard you got some pictures of bluebirds. Can I come in and see them?”. So, as we looked at the photos, Stiles told me of the many (hundreds, I think) of bluebird houses he put up around Bergen County, also in the 1950’s, I seem to recall. Stiles was a busy man back in the 50’s. (Here is the original post, March 2014: https://www.celeryfarm.net/2014/03/celery-farm-bluebirds.html)
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I had Stiles’s number on speed dial. He is always so excited to share a birding experience and answer ornithological questions.
And that laugh! Years ago, my young son burst in exclaiming about a bird with a long beak lurking under the forsythia. A Woodcock! Call Stiles! He said he’d come right over, and asked if he could he bring an aspiring young birder with him. (Young birder: 18 year old Rob Fanning). The Woodcock thrilled us all by hanging around for about half an hour – Stiles even got the Boy Scouts over to see it. Oh, that was a good time, all right! -
I am proud to know him and to have had a hand in protecting his forever legacy, the Celery Farm.
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I grew up in that great old house when it was surrounded completely by woods and the field my father mentioned to you, Jim. I had flown the nest ages before the Barred Owl years but remember the exciting reports from Dad. All my memorable, heart stopping or ordinary birding memories were, and still are, with my father, Stiles Thomas. He still, at age 96, turns birds into magic. Thank you, Jim.
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Jim, that was a great column in many different ways. Stiles is a great man, is 1 of them. He also invited us over one evening to hear the barred owl. We didn’t see it that time, but did hear and as always enjoyed his company, and it remains in our memories. Another special thing is your story of him deciding to plant trees because years in the future they might harbor owls, very like him and as you write, so important to our stewardship of the environment. Thanks for this column! Mike and Sara
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Thousands plus have experienced raptor migrations like kettles of broadwings his awe inspiring enthusiasm and kind gentle competitive nature have made State Line a destination for birding. I am proud to say Stiles is a friend of mine.
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Wonderful memory! Glad the pine grove remains as a huge McMansion has replaced the Stiles home.
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Wonderful Jim thanks!
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Stiles Thomas you say? Methinks I’ve heard that name bandied about! : )
Leave your comment
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10 comments
Jim Wright
I had forgotten about this. Great pix, too!
Thanks for sharing!
John Pastore
Very nice Jim. Stiles is a man who always thinks long-term, in addition to what good he can do in the present moment (like rescuing and releasing injured birds). My Stiles birding memory is when I got some photos of bluebirds passing though the Celery Farm. I emailed to you, you informed Stiles, and he showed up at my house, like, minutes later: “Hi John, I heard you got some pictures of bluebirds. Can I come in and see them?”. So, as we looked at the photos, Stiles told me of the many (hundreds, I think) of bluebird houses he put up around Bergen County, also in the 1950’s, I seem to recall. Stiles was a busy man back in the 50’s. (Here is the original post, March 2014: https://www.celeryfarm.net/2014/03/celery-farm-bluebirds.html)
Mary Lane
I had Stiles’s number on speed dial. He is always so excited to share a birding experience and answer ornithological questions.
And that laugh! Years ago, my young son burst in exclaiming about a bird with a long beak lurking under the forsythia. A Woodcock! Call Stiles! He said he’d come right over, and asked if he could he bring an aspiring young birder with him. (Young birder: 18 year old Rob Fanning). The Woodcock thrilled us all by hanging around for about half an hour – Stiles even got the Boy Scouts over to see it. Oh, that was a good time, all right!
tom oxnard
I am proud to know him and to have had a hand in protecting his forever legacy, the Celery Farm.
Georgie Thomas
I grew up in that great old house when it was surrounded completely by woods and the field my father mentioned to you, Jim. I had flown the nest ages before the Barred Owl years but remember the exciting reports from Dad. All my memorable, heart stopping or ordinary birding memories were, and still are, with my father, Stiles Thomas. He still, at age 96, turns birds into magic. Thank you, Jim.
Mike and Sara Buckley
Jim, that was a great column in many different ways. Stiles is a great man, is 1 of them. He also invited us over one evening to hear the barred owl. We didn’t see it that time, but did hear and as always enjoyed his company, and it remains in our memories. Another special thing is your story of him deciding to plant trees because years in the future they might harbor owls, very like him and as you write, so important to our stewardship of the environment. Thanks for this column! Mike and Sara
Gil Hawkins
Thousands plus have experienced raptor migrations like kettles of broadwings his awe inspiring enthusiasm and kind gentle competitive nature have made State Line a destination for birding. I am proud to say Stiles is a friend of mine.
Ann Ahnemann
Wonderful memory! Glad the pine grove remains as a huge McMansion has replaced the Stiles home.
R F
Wonderful Jim thanks!
Gabriele
Stiles Thomas you say? Methinks I’ve heard that name bandied about! : )