The twigs snapped against my heels. The wind howled and Janie turned against it, in defeat.
“I wanna go home.” Her lips turned in a quivering scowl, but her words blew away with the wind. I swallowed, and it hurt like swallowing knifes.
“We will.” I whispered, even though that couldn’t possibly be true. Janie turned away from me, and kept walking. Leaves squished under her soggy Converse sneakers and her knees buckled together to keep herself warm.
Out of the corner of my eye, a blinding white light hit my peripheral vision. I winced. It was a flashlight.
“Janie? Tracey? Dave? Call out if you can hear me! Call!” I heard a saddened voice, that sounded like Maria’s.
Janie started to scream out in response, but Dave covered her mouth with his dirty hand. Janie squirmed, struggling to be released from Dave’s grasp.
“Shh!” Dave hushed.
“Janie? Tracey? Dave? Call out if you can hear me!” Maria’s voice sounded more distant now. Tears blinded my eyes. Chance. The chance to go home, and we couldn’t have it.
We stood still, listening to Maria’s cries, until we couldn’t hear them anymore at all.
Janie hit the ground and began to howl. Again, Dave covered her mouth. Janie wailed, her sobs cut off from the rest of the world.
I sat down in the wet soil. I felt the earth, and I plunged my hands into it, looking at the color of the sky, which matched the concrete back in the city.
“Home.” I whispered.
ONE MONTH EARLIER
I didn’t understand how the sun could still shine. How the birds could still sing. How the day could go by, despite all the things that had happened.
I looked out my window. Janie and Maria were dancing on the dew covered grass, the sprinkler flying madly around.
I didn’t understand how summer could still be summer. How Janie and Maria could dance in the grass.
How could anything, ever be the same?
My heart ached, like a scar still healing.
I sat still in my bedroom, missing my brother Dave more than ever.
Why did they have to take him away? He was fine, just where he was. He wasn’t getting in too much trouble at the new school.
Mom said that Dave was different than most kids, and needed special attention.
How was Dave different? That’s what I wanted to know.
“Tracey! Will you come out and play with us?” I heard Janie’s voice from downstairs.
“Maybe in a little while.” I yelled back. I heard the front door creak open, and slam shut. When I looked out my window, Maria and Janie were still playing.
I looked at the photograph sitting on my desk. It’s a picture of our whole family last summer. Mom is standing in the middle, because she’s shorter than everyone except for Janie and me. Janie is on one side of her striking a pose, and I’m on her other side, smiling shyly. Shannon is just above Mom (since, although she’s the oldest, is even shorter than Mom) and smiling big. Shannon, Mom, and Janie are alike in that respect. They’re always so….happy and jolly. Maria is on Shannon’s left, her hair pulled into two tight braids. Maria is more like Dave and I, more shy and quiet. Dave is on Shannon’s other side, not smiling at all.
While other people seemed to think that it was odd that Dave didn’t smile, I thought it was just a boy thing.
And then Dad.
He’s almost as tall as the trees surrounding in the background. He smiles a thin-lipped smile, his big hands firmly placed on Shannon’s shoulders.
My heart itched for Dad. He had to go away with Dave.
Mom accused me of being a martyer about the whole thing. She was constantly telling me that, ‘everyone misses Dad and Dave, not just you. It’s not all about you, Tracey.’
I didn’t understand. It wasn’t about me. I KNOW Dave didn’t want to leave, and I’m sure Dad didn’t either.
I always tried to squeeze the real reason of why Dad and Dave left out of Mom, but she never told me.
It had been almost a month now.
The world had moved on, and left me sitting alone in my bedroom. The world was done feeling sorry.
But I wasn’t.
I wasn’t really asking for editing, like puncuation….

When it comes to providing a place for birds in your area to splash, bathe, play, and drink, a bird bath can please both the feathered and human inhabitants of the property. Bird baths serve as a huge draw to entice birds of all types to your yard, and in turn, the birds receive a necessary place to refresh themselves on hot summer days or chilly winter nights. Before you purchase a bird bath, first consider where you will place the bird bath in your yard or garden to ensure the specific style you wish will fit the outdoor space.

You have countless options when it comes to where to place a bird bath, but the most popular places include:

• Decks or Porches: If you do not have a great deal of space in your yard, or do not have a yard at all, consider purchasing a bird bath that affixes to the railings on a deck of porch. In addition to having the bird bath close to reach for refilling, installing a bird bath on your deck or porch will allow you to enjoy the birds that flock to your bath up close and personal.

• Up in the Trees: What better place to put a bath for your birds than up in the trees? Choose a hanging bird bath that will suspend in your trees so that your birds will not have to leave home to get a drink of water or take a bath. Consider hanging a bird bath near a window so that you can enjoy the birds while they splish and splash. However, keep in mind that bird baths will need to be cleaned and refilled, so avoid hanging a bird bath too far out of your reach so that you will not be able to properly maintain the bath.

• In Your Garden: If space permits, consider creating a sanctuary for the birds in your area. Use stylish bird baths to add style and flair to your yard or garden. Since running water is popular with birds, often enticing them to visit your bird bath over a neighbor’s bird bath, use a fountain bird bath to add a special touch. In addition to enticing the birds in your area, the tranquil sound of running water will allow you to enjoy your outdoor space and relax in your garden.

• Under the Trees: Since many birds seek the shelter of bird baths to escape from summer’s oppressive heat, placing a bird bath under the shade of trees in your yard will further entice birds to your area. However, keep in mind that the leaves and other debris from the trees can cause the bird bath to become dirty quicker so that it requires cleaning more frequently. Also, the blocked view from the trees may not allow you to see the birds that visit your yard and enjoy the bird bath. Generally, individuals choose to place bird baths in open places to prevent hassles associated with frequent cleanings.

• Near Your Home: Watching birds frolic will allow you to relax and unwind in your own home. Place your bird bath near a window that will allow you to oversee your feathered friends. Great places to watch birds include the kitchen, living room, bed room, or home office. Imagine taking a break from work to enjoy watching the birds or watching the flock while washing dishes in your kitchen.

Wherever you decide to place your bird bath in your yard or garden, remember the reason: to entice birds to your yard. Furthermore, consider the great variety of styles and sizes that will allow you to find a bath that matches your personal tastes.

By: Alex A. Kecskes

When it comes to pigeons and the problems they’ve caused, we should probably begin with a big mea culpa-pigeons were the first bird species domesticated by man over 5,000 years ago. They were raised by the millions across medieval France and England. Eagerly fed by kings and paupers, the lucky pigeons became messengers, the not so fortunate, meals. Eventually, they grew in mass numbers, feeding off grain stores and pooping on statues. Attempts to control them with guns failed. As did all manner of culling efforts. After World War II, poisons emerged, but still they proliferated. Feeding them was banned as early as the 1920′s in Los Angeles’ Pershing Square. At Wimbledon, pigeons swooping down on Centre Court would distract players in the middle of heated matches. Marksmen were hired to shoot down the dive-bombing pests. Hawks were stationed at key areas, but the pigeons simply flew around them. Environmentalists came to their defense and it seemed mankind has lost its battle with the indefatigable pigeon until a whole new industry emerged, pigeon control.

The new industry took flight almost immediately. Needless to say, home and boat owners, property and city managers, architects, churches, sports fans at ballpark owners-all breathed a sigh of relief. Your average sized pigeon dumps approximately about 25 pounds of poop annually. This can cause all sorts of problems. Not the least of which is the high concentration of uric acid found in pigeon poop. It can discolor paint, stain wood, erode metal, even crumble concrete and expensive stonework. The unsightly waste must often be blasted off hard-to-reach areas using expensive boom lifts and steam hoses. There’s also the health risk of bacteria, fungi and parasites that live and grow in the droppings, which can carry and transmit any of 60 known diseases. The fleas, mites and ticks that attach themselves to pigeons can also carry disease. Pigeon-related damage in America has been estimated to cost $1.1 billion a year.

Among the most common and effective pigeon control devices is the bird spike. Made to order for rooftops, awnings, gutters, girders, roof peaks and ledges, bird spikes keep pest pigeons and larger birds from landing. Some spikes are made of stainless steel, others feature rigid U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate. They are easy to install and won’t harm birds. The spikes are usually placed to cover an entire ledge positioned to seal off corners and open sides to keep the clever birds from sneaking around them. 

Combining simplicity and functionality in a single pigeon control measure is the bird slope. Ideal for ledges, eaves, beams and other 90-degree areas where pigeons tend to nest and roost, the slippery panels prevent pigeons from getting a grip, causing them to simply slide off. Bird slope panels are easily painted to match any structure’s décor. They can be easily glued to any surface.

Another popular and highly effective pigeon control solution is netting. Properly installed, pigeon control netting presents an impenetrable barrier on rooftops, courtyards, patio covers, and other similar surfaces. For larger buildings and commercial structures, try Bird-B-Gone’s heavy-duty bird netting. It’s most often prescribed by architects. Its polyethylene fabric is U.V. stabilized, flame resistant and rot and waterproof. The netting should be draped over window recesses, balconies or even whole rooftops to prevent pest pigeons from reaching nesting areas.

Many building managers have opted for electric-track pigeon deterrents. These have proven to be a very effective pigeon control solution. They discourage pigeons from landing with a harmless, but irritating mild electric shock. Shocked pigeons are persuaded to change their nesting and/or feeding habits and move on. Electric-track pigeon control is ideal for ledges, rooftops, and flat or curved surfaces like signs. Building and restaurant owners often prefer this method of pigeon control because its low-profile electrified track conforms to a wide range of architectural configurations; it’s almost invisible to anyone looking up from below. Some electric tracks come in a flow-through design to prevent water from damming up on rooftops and other surfaces. Bird-B-Gone’s Bird Jolt FlatTrack system uses a knitted copper wire that’s stronger than steel, resistant to corrosion and highly resistant to alkali and acidic environments. The knitted design features a single strand of higher gauge wire and a tube-within-a-tube design for greater conductivity, strength and reliability.

The pigeon control people at Bird-B-Gone have also recently developed a Solar Powered pigeon repeller. Its arms rotate at 30 RPM and gently sweep pigeons away. Ideal for signs, billboards, parapet walls, roofs, or any flat surface, including outdoor eating areas. Bird-B-Gone also offers a number of sonic bird repellers for a wide range of outdoor applications.

For homeowners and property manages who want a speedy, economical pigeon control solution, there’s bird gel. This non-toxic, sticky chemical won’t harm birds, yet it leaves a surface that’s tacky and uncomfortable to pest pigeons. When it dries, it provides an uncomfortable surface for the pigeons to land on. Pigeons just don’t like it and will move on.

For low budgets and large areas, one can find an almost endless number of “pigeon scare” products currently on the market. These simple solutions discourage pigeons from landing on overhangs, gazebos, patios, eaves, pool areas, and other locales. They include iridescent reflective foil or flash tape and inflatable balloons imprinted with lifelike reflective predator eyes and markings. Some pigeon repellers have iridescent foil eyes to scare away birds by day and glow-in-the-dark backsides to keep them away at night.

You’re Not Alone

Pigeons love to land on roof ledges, windowsills, building projections, signs, statues, trusses and beams. So troublesome have been pigeon infestations in many cities that officials have resorted to some draconian methods of control. To reduce Hollywood’s estimated 5,000 pigeon population, California considered putting OvoControl P, which interferes with egg development, in bird food in new rooftop feeders. In Venice, exploding pigeon populations have prompted the city to consider a ban on the throwing of rice, a tradition at many weddings.

With their life span of 15 years, pigeons have become a major nuisance around parks and playgrounds, leaving disease carrying poop on swings, slides, jungle jims, benches–all the places kids touch and then eat snacks with pigeon poop hands. In general, bird droppings have been known to carry and transmit any of 60 known diseases. For example, they can carry bacteria causing Salmonellosis and Ornithosis, which resembles viral pneumonia. To make matters worse, pigeon droppings and their nesting materials contain insects and mites. It’s no wonder the pigeon spike has become so popular.

Pigeons have also caused a number of problems for boat owners and boat docking facilities, pooping and nesting on canvas covers, sails, outboard engines, rigging and  masts. Pigeon poop has clogged many a rotating radar antenna. And who hasn’t fallen on wet pigeon poop while climbing in and out of a boat?

For restaurant owners, pest pigeons have been a constant source of aggravation and expense. The offensive odors pigeons create can be enough to dissuade any customer from visiting a restaurant, in particular, one that offers outdoor service. (Nothing is a bigger turn off than a fast food restaurant whose sign is dripping with dried pigeon poop.)  For property owners like these, the pigeon spike has become a mainstay.

If you’re the facilities manager of a commercial building, you probably write the yearly checks to clean up pigeon poop damage. You know that the high concentration of uric acid found in pigeon droppings can ruin wood, paint, metal, even crumble concrete and stonework. In most cases, you have to pay high rates to guys with boom lifts and steam hoses to blast off the unsightly mess left by your dear friend, mister pigeon. Every year, pigeon-related damage runs over a $1 billion. If only more managers know about the pigeon spike and how effective it can be.

The Pigeon Spikeâ?¦Defined

Ah, the noble pigeon spike. Simple. Surprisingly effective. The physical pest bird deterrent that convinces pigeons not to land. Widely used around the globe, the spike has kept pigeons of all types and sizes from roosting on structures new and old. Sold in strips of spikes, they’re the prefect solution for boat docks and rooftops, parapet walls, I-beams–any flat surface where pigeons dare to close wing and claw.

Splayed out like the back of a porcupine, the long spikes can appear pretty menacing to a pigeon looking for a landing spot. But the long spikes are harmless to pigeons and other birds. And nowadays, you even have a choice of spikes. You can get either stainless steel spikes, which are very durable and useful in areas where conductivity is not a problem. Or you can opt for rigid unbreakable polycarbonate spikes–less expensive, but still highly durable and effective. You also get a choice of spike strip lengths, which usually come in 3â?, 5â? and 8â? widths and two-foot sections. Pigeon spikes have become so effective that architects, contractors and government agencies have recommended them. Another thing about the spike strip: it’s permanent and unobtrusive as a building fixture.

Using the Pigeon Spike

Pigeon spikes are usually attached to street lighting, building ledges and commercial signage to keep feral pigeons from perching or roosting. They are practically invisible when installed properly. Before mounting the spikes, clear the area of obstructions and pigeon droppings. Some pigeon spikes come with a special glue or silicone. Apply this to the base of the spike and press down hard to ensure a snug seal. When installing the spikes, be sure to seal out any gaps, holes or cavities to prevent pigeons from sneaking around them. For wide ledges, you may need three or more rows of spikes. For small ledges or sections of pipe, use small sections of spikes to seal off these areas. Got a curved surface? No problem. You can get spike strips with a flexible base for hassle-free installation.

More importantly, bird control can save lives. The FAA says that birds are attracted to airports with disastrous results. A tragic example is U.S. Airways flight 1549, which was forced to make an emergency landing in the Hudson River after a flock of geese flew into its engines. Between1976 and 2007, there were 76,000 reports of accidents with birds and aircraft, and of those, 11 people died.

So whether it’s pigeons, sparrows, seagulls, starlings, crows or geese, bird pests can cause all sorts of problems. Not the least of which is the high concentration of uric acid found in bird droppings. It can discolor paint, stain wood, erode metal, even crumble concrete and expensive stonework. And don’t forget the health risk of bacteria, fungi and parasites that live and grow in bird droppings, which can carry and transmit any of 60 known diseases. The fleas, mites and ticks that attach themselves to birds can also carry disease. All told, the costs to cleanup and repair what pest birds do runs into the millions of dollars annually.

One especially effective bird control device is the bird spike. Ideal for keeping pest birds from landing on rooftops, awnings, gutters and girders. Some spikes are made of rigid U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate. Others have flexible stainless steel spikes. They come in a variety of widths and colors, are easy to install and won’t harm birds. Be sure to install a sufficient amount of spikes to cover an entire ledge to keep birds from sneaking around them. And close off corners and all open sides of a ledge.

Bird control netting is another highly effective bird control solution. Ideal for courtyards, patio covers, and rooftops. Properly installed, pigeon netting presents an impenetrable barrier against these pest birds. If you want to keep birds away from fruit trees, crops, vineyards, you’ll need agricultural netting. For buildings and other structures, try Bird-B-Gone’s heavy-duty bird netting. It’s most often prescribed by architects. Its ISO 1806 mesh test polyethylene fabric is U.V. stabilized, flame resistant and rot and waterproof. The sub-zero stable, non-conductive webbing comes in 3/4″, 1-1/8″ and 2″ mesh sizes to control a variety of birds. Be sure to place the netting over window recesses, balconies or even whole rooftops to prevent birds from reaching nesting areas.

Another simple, but effective bird control measure is the bird slope. These slippery PVC panels are ideal for ledges, eaves, beams and other 90-degree areas where birds tend to nest and roost. The steep angles they present won’t allow birds to get a grip, causing them to simply slide off and move on. Bird slope panels come in a variety of colors to match any structure’s décor. They can be easily glued to any surface or screwed to wood. Be sure to use UV stabilized polycarbonate panels like those offered by Bird-B-Gone.

Other bird control products used by many building managers include electric-track bird repellers. These present birds with a harmless, but irritating mild electric shock that discourages them from landing. Once shocked, birds alter their habits to nest or feed on that particular building. Ideal for use on ledges, rooftops, and flat or curved surfaces like signs. Building and restaurant owners often prefer this method of bird control because its low-profile electrified track conforms to any architectural configuration. And because it’s almost invisible close-up or to those looking up from below. Choose a flow-through design to prevent water from damming up on rooftops and other surfaces. Bird-B-Gone’s Bird Jolt FlatTrack system uses copper knitted wire mesh that’s stronger than steel, resistant to corrosion and highly resistant to alkali and acidic environments. The knitted design features a single strand of higher gauge wire and a tube-within-a-tube design for greater conductivity, strength and reliability.

One novel bird control device recently developed by Bird-B-Gone is the Solar Powered bird repeller. Its arms rotate at 30 RPM and gently sweep birds away. Ideal for pigeons, seagulls and larger birds, the repeller can be used on signs, billboards, parapet walls, roofs, or any flat surface, including outdoor eating areas. The bird control company also offers a number of sonic bird repellers for a wide range of outdoor applications.

For bird control on a budget, there are an almost endless number of “bird scare” products currently on the market. They discourage birds from landing on trees, overhangs, gazebos, patios, eaves, pool areas, and other areas. They include iridescent reflective foil or flash tape and inflatable balloons imprinted with lifelike reflective predator eyes and markings. Some bird repellers have iridescent foil eyes to scare away birds by day and glow-in-the-dark backsides to keep them away at night.

Finally, for a fast and economical bird control solution, there’s bird gel. This non-toxic, sticky chemical leaves a surface that’s tacky and uncomfortable to most birds. The gel skins but never sets hard, providing an unstable surface for the birds to land on. Birds hate it, yet it’s safe for both birds and people.