Friday, May 22, 2009

I Apologize

I apologize.

As some of you are aware, I recently did a post on saving a baby mourning dove. It upset some people when I wrote about protecting the remaining baby from a Blue Jay with a bb gun. Please note the following:Italic

  • I will not be harming or shooting the Blue Jay or any bird, nor am I an advocate for doing so. I am well aware of the laws.
  • The post has been removed.
  • This post was written in the heat of the moment. It was a thought written - not an action. I should have been more clear and given more thought before posting this. This blog is me, I find humor in my birds and I love birds. A blog is a personal journal of thoughts and feelings. However, it is not my intention to upset or offend anyone.
  • It goes without saying that I love birds and am a big advocate for them. It is why I write this blog. It is why I am a member of the Michigan Audubon and Michigan Loon Preservation. My money, my time and photos have been dedicated towards the preservation of birds and their habitat and will remain so.

Sincerely,

Shelley

33 comments:

Coralie Cederna Johnson said...

Please don't feel bad...heat of the moment is completely understanding. More importantly all one has to do is follow your blogs to see how much love and care you have for animals and birds!

Craig Glenn said...

Oh Shelly, people are such AH's! You don't need to appoligize or remove your post. Lord knows if I had to agree with ever post on the blogs I follow I simply could not follow any. If I take offence to some blogger I simply stop following. I don't attack them, it's their blog for heaven sake.

Don't get me started... So sorry you were not able to express yourself as you saw fit. Please continue to be yourself and not placate to others whims...

I love your blog.

Craig Glenn

Dorothy said...

You shouldn't feel bad about your post. I would have tried to protect the helpless little Dove, too. I hope that the remaining one does survive.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Shelly: Sometimes people get upset about the little things.

emarkd said...

Don't feel so bad about your post. I know its easy to bend to the noise generated by the vocal minority, but most of us here fully support you and understand your dismay at the situation. I know that if it were me, I'd certainly help the baby Doves in whatever way I could and not feel bad about it one bit.

I enjoy your blog and hope we get to see the remaining chick grow up!

Anonymous said...

Shelly I missed the posting, but it looks like you made the corrective action and apology whether you needed to or not. Mistakes happen and we all make them then we learn from them. So lets all move on from here. :-)

Anonymous said...

I also thought it was fine/appropriate given the upsetting circumstances concerning the Bluejay's attack. We protect our young (humans & animals). It's just what we feel/do!

Deborah Godin said...

I read that post and it never occurred to me it was anything other than a heat of the moment outburst. Who hasn't been there, done that?! You rock!!

Anonymous said...

Shelley, You are one of the most joyful, talented, passionate bloggers I know and everyone is entitled to blow off a little steam some time. We have all often said things we wish we had not, but in the heat of the moment, it's not easy to think things thru sometimes. Feel better soon and concentrate on having a nice, long weekend.

Jen said...

Hugs to you!

Lanny said...

Shelley I missed the post you're speaking of, in fact I haven't been reading blogs since before you came home to the devastation. The animal world is way crueler and distructive than most folks realize.

I love seeing all of your bird photos and your take on it all. I was hoping your Mourning Doves would hatch and grow if just for the selfish reason of being able to read "Shellmo" style posts about their lives.

How did the momma do with the returned baby?

jalynn01 said...

Some people go to extremes....and this is a prime example. Don't feel bad shelley most of us 'normal' folks out here feel the same way you did!! Shake it off and have a great day.

The Retired One said...

Oh For God's Sake. I suppose some idiot made a big deal out of your one statement!
Anyone who reads your blog for more than a day knows you worship your birds and find them precious.
Don't worry about your loyal readers (who feel like they know you). We know you would never hurt any bird or wildlife animal.
{{hugs}}

holdingmoments said...

No need to appologise for speaking your mind Shelley. It's your blog, you should be able to say what you like. We all have 'heat of the moment' moments; it's what makes us human.

Andrea said...

We knew that you wouldn't do it but it was a great vent! How is the family doing?

Adrian said...

Hi Shelley I totally agree with Debbie Godin, when I read that post I never imagined at all that you were intending to take a shot at the Blue Jay. Please dont let this put you off blogging cos you give ALOT of joy to many many people including me! By the way, this is Jenny from wrensnaturenotebook writing from my brothers computer! Take care!

Anonymous said...

I would never apologize for anything on any of my blogs and gosh I would hope most feel that way.

Vickie said...

Nature can be so hard to watch and accept. There is no right way to respond. We are human and we have human reactions. All the dynamics change because we are a witness to it and that sparks compassion and a desire to protect the helpless.

It is kind of you to apologize to those who took offense but you weren't expressing anything that all of us haven't felt ourselves at one time or other. There is certainly no reason to apologize for compassion or anger.

Your images, your sense of humor and your notes make it all too apparent that you love our birds.

Ginnymo said...

I wouldn't worry about what one person said. I hope I never get mad about something because I won't shut up..Ha! Ha! We all know you love the birds and animals and would never harm them. I have felt that way when I see the hawk carry off one of my squirrels or when a rat bit my chipmunk almost in half. I DID kill the rat though.. I can only take so much. And I was getting attached to that rat too..Ha! Ha! Have a great weekend Shelly!!

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

Shelley, I feel your blog is YOUR blog. You ought to be able to express yourself.

Nature Nut /JJ Loch said...

Shell, I understand your protective spirit. You weren't wanting the baby mourning dove harmed.

You are an inspiration to me with your love and caring nature for God's creation. I have shared this link with my MIL because she is enjoying your beautiful photos and posts too. You bring new life to the world of bird watching and because of you, we understand more about the winged beauties ourselves.

Big Hugs, JJ

Leedra said...

I cannot believe anybody that visits your blog could think you were going to harm any bird of any kind. We blog what we want, and I would not have deleted the post. I wanted to see the comments you made reference to, but as I continued to read I knew I couldn't.

Leedra’s Photos For FunLeedra’s Greeting CardsPhotography By Leedra

Richard said...

On behalf of the Blue Jay Union Local #235, we thank you....lol.

On behalf of the Mourning Dove Union, Bob's Local #1...BOOOOO !!!

Rural Rambler said...

Shelley you have a tender heart, I am proud to know you through this system named blogs. I learned a very good thing through that post. Learning is a good thing and we are all adults and decide what is right for us. I now know how to take care of our bluebirds from a reference situation from your blog.

I love your blog Shelley, I start my day with it and a few others. Take care and keep blogging about things that are close to your heart!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh PUH-LEASE, Shelley... People can get their 'panties-in-a-wad' so easily... You were only trying to help the dove. Good GOSH--- I cannot believe it!!!!

We cannot save the world--but we can save a few in need --once in awhile.

I'm so sorry this happened to a wonderful person like YOU... What a shame... Please don't let it upset you. It's YOUR blog and YOUR opinion.

And--for the record, I would have said and done the SAME thing.

Lots of Hugs,
Betsy

Tina said...

Shelley,
I am sorry all this happened to you..I guess it isn't a good idea to take everyone's comments to heart..some people just like to make waves and ripples.
Most of us, you true followers, just want to enjoy the calm waters!
Deep breath..find your smile and move on. :)

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry Shelley..I didn't think it sounded like you..but where I live people are always killing something and I guess I assumed the worst in the heat of the moment...my mistake..

Shelley said...

Thank you everyone for your kind support and comments! After receiving some complaints, it is so appreciated to hear from my birdy blogger friends. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

P.S. Richard - you gave me a much needed laugh!!

Jessica said...

I hope you know from all the supportive comments you received that you are so loved in this blogging community. If only half the people in this world were half as kind and loving to birds this world would be a better place!

Kelly said...

Shelley....you are one of the most sensitive and dedicated bird bloggers out there. Everyone loves you! I read that post and didn't think anything of it. I assumed it was a joke (sort of like the old saying you hear people utter: "The things you see when you haven't got your gun.")

Dawn Fine said...

Damn..I missed all this stuff..well here I am catching up on your blog.
Sorry for what went down.
It is very sad and frustrating to see these things happen..You did what u felt you needed to do.
Sometimes people/organizations can be more cruel.

Connie said...

No apology necessary, Shelley. I think everyone knows how much you love and are an advocate of birds. Your reaction was from trying to protect the baby mourning dove. We have all seen how much the birds love you in return. Hugs to you from Daisy. :)

Knatolee said...

I'm with the crowd! No need to apologize, nor to have removed the post. *I* knew you weren't going to be shootin' any bluejays. Geeeez!!!!

Anyone with half a brain who reads this blog knows how much you love your feathered friends. On a brighter note, it shows how widely-read your blog is if you're getting critics now. ;)