Thursday, March 11, 2010

When You Defile

"When you defile the pleasant streams
And the wild bird's abiding place,
You massacre a million dreams
And cast your spittle in God's face."
~John Drinkwater


On Tuesday morning, while sipping tea, my phone rang. The voice which greeted me upon answering belonged to Nicky, one of my neighbours who so kindly helped me out when the orphaned raccoon kits, Sugar and Spike needed rescuing almost a year ago.

Nicky is an ardent animal lover. She's a volunteer with the Toronto Wildlife Centre for our area, which means that when there's an animal in trouble in our locality, Nicky will get the call to see if she can locate, capture and transport an injured, sick or otherwise threatened creature to the wildlife centre. Just before she phoned me, Nicky got the call that there were a pair of Canada Geese in distress at our local pond.

This small lake collects runoff from drains in the neighbourhood, and a few times in the past, we have had serious problems with cooking oil spills.


Presumably, a restaurant owner in a nearby strip mall has not taken the care to properly dispose of used oil, and has instead poured it into the drainage system, and ultimately into our beautiful pond. It has happened several times over the last few years.

In the past, Nicky has helped to capture ducks and geese whose feathers became coated with oil, so that they could be cleaned and released. One time, this process took over one week to get to all of the affected birds. A few died but most were treated and set free. This week was quite different.

Nicky's call on this day was to request my help to corral an ailing Canada Goose. More oil had been poured into our storm drains and was now oozing into the lake, causing problems with our waterfowl. I arrived to find the water eerily devoid of its usual dozens of ducks.


I met Nicky who was already scooping up a dead goose with her net. Someone from the parks department was there helping her.


All was done before I even reached the shoreline. They had one already-deceased bird in the net


and one ailing goose in a small carrier.


I accompanied Nicky and another neighbour, Lynne who drove us to the Wildlife Centre in Toronto, about a half hour away.

Nicky kept the goose in a large carrier beside her in the back seat of the car. She needed to keep its head lifted so that it could breathe easier. We were encouraged at times as this lovely beast began flapping its wings with great strength. Lynne and I also had visions of the bird getting out of Nicky's control to fly around her small vehicle while we sailed along Toronto's busy 401 highway.

Our fears were unfounded. Shortly before we arrived at the wildlife center, this poor goose gave it her last fight and expired. We brought both dead birds into the center where they would be tested to determine what might have killed them so rapidly.


Home again, I headed back into the park to watch the cleanup crews collect water samples,


vacuum the oil from the lake


and replace the booms which had been in place since previous spills to filter and absorb the oil.

I unexpectedly met up with Nicky on yet another walk around the pond shortly before dusk. She informed me that there was a third dead goose on the other side of the pond and asked if I minded taking a photo of it. I obliged,


and was about to email it to her shortly afterward when she phoned me again. By this time, it turned out that the Toronto Wildlife Centre decided that it was necessary to involve Environment Canada on this issue. They had requested that Nicky now collect this third bird, so she was calling to ask for my assistance. I of course agreed and met Nicky in the park with my camera.

My help consisted of standing on shore while Nicky stepped on what appeared to me was a precarious low-growing bramble branch.


I did my part by saying encouraging words like "Are you sure you're not going to fall in?" "You're a braver woman than I am" and "Geesh, you're incredibly agile." Nicky netted this poor creature and we were able to take another, better photograph to send to our local newspaper which was now also involved in the process.


Within hours, a story appeared on the online pages of The Mississauga News, which included a couple of my photos. Today's hard copy contains a different photo of mine. It will probably take some time until we hear just what caused these geese to die so rapidly, and longer still until they conclusively determine the source of this pollutant.

In the meantime, our usual duck and geese residents are mostly avoiding our beautiful pond. We're worried about the ducks that had been swimming there earlier that morning and hope that they left before the polluted water could affect them. We're concerned about a small group of Kingfishers which appeared before dusk, and were seen fishing from the lake. We're troubled by what effect this might have on the fish population.

We'd like to know what can be done to help educate the community about how serious this problem is. We'd like to know that our wildlife can safely share this space with us. We want THIS...


to stop NOW.

Reminder: This year, Saturday, March 27th, Earth Hour begins at 8:30 pm in Canada. You can find your country's local time and more information about this annual event by clicking here.

70 comments:

Hilary said...

Clean up crews have been back to the lake late Wednesday to resume vacuuming new oil. They continued working well after dark and left around 9 pm. This not to say that there has necessarily been more oil dumped but this might just be a very long, difficult process to clean up everything which lurks in the drains. I saw these same crews outside of the strip mall in question earlier in the day. One of the workers told me that they believed that the oil was poured down a street drain, and that fines, if they were to be enforced would be steep. Let's just hope that there's conclusive evidence this time.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

I recall hearing about people who poured their car oil down the storm drain. Couldn't believe it. Hopefully the newspapers stories will be utilized to inform the public - and scare off the perpetrators. Poor geese. Such beautiful creatures.

Dave said...

This situation is disgusting and very sad Hilary. I hope that who ever is responsible is caught and penalised. This sort of thing must stop as it is just not acceptable. Well done you for helping out and for letting your photos be used. - Dave

Pseudo said...

What a great post. Over here, we have to be careful not to let plastic blow into the ocean or the turtles and other marine life eat it and get really messed up.

LadyFi said...

Oh no - that picture of the dead floating duck made me cry. I hope they can find enough evidence to stop these shop owners from killing off the wildlife.

Zuzana said...

Very sad.
But a very important post.

Unfortunately what you describe here is happening in many places. Some people simply just do not care. It is as simple as that.
Working in laboratory we have very strict rules about chemical disposals. We sort our waste and collect it. I even attended a course to learn about the safe waste disposal and it is very important to me that we do nothing to harm innocent life, as I love nature more than anything. We have stickers that clearly state "risk to aquatic environment and life, dispose of appropriately".

Touching pictures and words dear Hilary.

xoxo
Zuzana

ethelmaepotter! said...

When I was 14, my beloved kitty, Cinnamon, came home covered with wet, slimy oil, barely breathing. We had no car, since it was Sunday and our father was living at that time in another state (long story.) We tried cleaning her, but obviously knew nothing in 1970 of how to go about this; Cinnamon died in my arms, unable to breathe. We later discovered someone had thrown her into the creek behind our house, the creek where men would change their oil on Sundays. I am positive these men had no clue of the long term implications of their thoughtless actions; their cruelty at the time was racially motivated, and I very much doubt in all these years they have given a single thought to any of the animals that suffered and died because of the oil they dumped into that creek.
What can we do? I don't know, other than make more people aware. I'm sending more readers over here, right now.

Sueann said...

This is so sad and tragic! It just breaks my heart. People just don't think! They throw their trash in parking lots and streets. Dump oil and God knows what into storm sewers and drains...even creeks and lakes...oceans too! And now we have a ton or debris floating around earth in orbit!!!! There is no end to it!
Something has to make people wake up!!
Thanks for this post
Hugs
SueAnn

Shrinky said...

This is gut-wrenchingly awful, it tears the heart out to see the careless destruction of these poor creatures. Thank goodness for people such as your friend, you and these selfless volunteers, at least some members of our human race redeems us!

Brian Miller said...

people are idiots...i hope they find who is doing this and...

Tabor said...

I am surprised at how one restaurant's oil can kill so many. What is the physiological reason for their death? Are they smothering? Good documentary photos and glad you were there to make a picture that says a thousand words.

Rosaria Williams said...

So sorry to hear about the lake contamination. People are careless and self serving. Only with relentless campaigns and education we can get the message out. Great story. Great pictures.

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

Hilary: A post that was hard to read but ultimately encouraging that there are people like you and your friend who are willing to help our wildlife.

When will we ever learn that every self-serving action has a consequence for the planet and its inhabitants.

You must have been shaken to watch these beautiful creatures die. Thank you for your caring and brave efforts on their behalf.

Mental P Mama said...

Oh Hilary, that is absolutely heartbreaking. Why are people so thoughtless? I hope they can catch those people.

Dee said...

What a terrible thing to do. Those poor ducks. What a wonderful thing you and your friends are doing.

Good for you!

CiCi said...

Isn't it mind blowing that we all share this planet yet not everyone believes they share the responsibility to maintain it properly. This is sad indeed. Your photos are what we all need to see. I am glad they were posted in your local paper.

Margo said...

this is so upsetting, but I'm glad that it was given a wider audience by your local newspaper. there is still so much ignorance on the importance of a clean water supply (and how there barely is such a thing)

Dianne said...

thank you for helping and a million standing ovations to your friend and to all who try to undo and stop what ignorant humans start

I hope they get all the proof they need to really punish the person who did this

Leah J. Utas said...

Most disheartening. Whoever does this should be... never mind.

Unknown said...

Oh no.
SO sad.
I am glad you are doing your part.
And I am super thankful that you were able to help your friend and neighbor.

the Bag Lady said...

I hope they can discover who did this, and that they are punished. It's heart-breaking to see those beautiful creatures in such distress.
It reminds me of the court case going on in Alberta right now against Syncrude regarding the thousands of ducks that died from landing in their tailings pond. I am sincerely hoping that the fines leveled against that company will be substantial enough to force them to realize that this is unacceptable.

Thank you for assisting by documenting the deaths of these birds. We can only hope that your photos will serve as evidence against whoever was ignorant enough to do this!

ellen abbott said...

What a shame. Likely the perpetrator knows the consequences of his actions and just doesn't care.

Daryl said...

What a tragedy. I hope when the culprit is found, they are fined a huge amount AND warned if they do it again they will be shut down.

You and Nicky are a wonderful team.

Kerri Farley said...

Tears are flowing as I read this! My heart breaks for these beautiful birds. But I am also encouraged that there are poeple like you and your friend Nicky who try to help these creatures in need.
Thank you so much for all you do!!

Cricket said...

Wow. Obviously, I'm familiar with the more usual kind of oil spill. I never would have thought cooking oil would have the same effect. I guess I would have expected it to be more natural or something.

No soundtrack today. Just silence. :-(

Frank Baron said...

We've spoken about this so you know my feelings. The pics just make me angrier. Hopefully, they'll have the same effect on others and more pressure will be brought to bear on finding, and convicting, the people responsible for this.

Amy said...

Hilary, You've given us a great photo journalistic story of a very sad event, touchingly told. It reminds me of our nursery (we sold it 4 years ago) that had a creek running through it. We had ducks, beavers, deer, and fish but every once in a while some idiot in the neighborhood behind us would dump some noxious substance down the storm drain that would end up in our beautiful creek. So sad!

I thank you for this because I think you've raised awareness and, hopefully, people will think about the consequences of their actions.

abb said...

People just don't think. Not that it would stop anyone, but most of our drains have big lettering on the concrete above them that reads "This drain goes directly into Long Island Sound" or something of that nature. You are also fined here if you're caught - that's the hard part, catching someone doing it.
I'm so sorry your lake has been so decimated. And I feel awful for the geese. Do let us know the outcome of this, please!

Sara said...

Wow. This story brought tears to my eyes.

I live in North Florida and we geese who are permanent residents. We have a flock in my neighborhood who live in a nearby pond. They often stop traffic as they waddle across the road. Most of us have grown to love them very much:~)

So, your story greatly saddened me. I hate to think of any of these beautiful birds being killed due to the careless disregard of their environment.

Hopefully, the newspaper story will help bring awareness to this problem.

Anonymous said...

This type of problem could also have been avoided by using Smart Sponge technologies to filter oil and other pollutants from the drains before they enter the lake.

L. D. said...

We have very strict rules that would investigate and go after the guys who are dumping grease. In Iowa where it is a farming state, the rules have become so strict that farms don't make a move without being watch. Unfortunately they have stopped raising cattle here and the get raised in large lots in Nebraska now. I hope they can get the mess stopped.

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

This Ozark farm chick gets very upset when both our earth and it's animals are mistreated. For someone to purposely pour oil into a water system, well let's just say, "them are fightin' words."

From the hills and hollers of the Missouri Ponderosa, ya'll have a wonderfully blessed day!!!

ds said...

You and your friend Nicky are saints! Such heartbreaking work. I hope the newspaper & other exposure will help to stop the thoughtlessness (of course, the folks who dump their oil never believe they cause the problem, do they?).

Maggie May said...

Humans have a lot to answer for sometimes but thankfully there are always some like your friend and team who will be there to help wildlife. Sorry the duck didn't make it.

Nuts in May

Karen said...

My heart is sad to see the waste of such beautiful creatures. I hope this will be remedied soon, with all parties involved. I'm glad you had the pictures to prove it.

Unspoken said...

This makes me sick I hope they are fined for a steep price.

Anonymous said...

I am sad and I am angry that people would do such damage. How can someone not know the damage it causes to pour oil down a drain?
(I know, I'm preaching to the choir.)
Hilary, your photographs of this tragedy document it all so well, especially since we have previously seen the beauty of this area.

steviewren said...

I'm sad that the culprits have such low regard for the local wildlife...I'm sure he/she couldn't be a follower of your blog or they would have know how much the waterfowl are observed and enjoyed. I hope things are better there soon.

Kelly H-Y said...

That is heartbreaking ... your photos tell the story so well.

Wendy said...

How very sad. I can't believe some of the things people do. Incredibly ignorant and destructive!

Good thing you were there to help with this awful situation. And your pics are good too.

Congrats on the publication in the Mississauga News!

Cloudia said...

Thank you for acting.


Aloha


Comfort Spiral

Hilary said...

• MJ, I don't know. This has been going on for years.. on and off. I sure hope you're right though. Thanks :)

• Dave, it sure is disgusting. I'm so hoping they'll have proof this time. Thanks for the support. :)

• PHST, thank you. I can understand when things happen accidentally - it's still a problem but intention is what makes the difference. Thanks for the visit. :)

• LadyFi, the dead and dying geese were indeed heartbreakers. I hope they fine him too. Thanks for stopping by. :)

• Zuzana, I know this is just a small corner of a larger package. It's a huge problem everywhere. We don't know how to deal with our own advancement. It just hits harder when it's almost my own back yard. Thanks so much for the kind words, my dear friend. :)

• My dear EthelMae, your story is heart-wrenching. I hope folks will head on over to read right now. http://ethelmaepotterweneverforgother.blogspot.com/2010/03/smitten-image.html You told it so eloquently. I'm so sorry that your family was victim of such hateful ignorance. Thanks you so much for linking to my post, and for the incredibly kind things you had to say. You're a gem. :)

• SueAnn, in this case, I don't believe it's a matter of not thinking. It's a matter of not caring. This guy has been talked to before and it continues to happen. I am so hoping that charges will be laid this time. Thanks so much for stopping by. :)

• Shrinky, thanks for the kind words. Sadly, it only takes one stupid, uncaring act to do so much damage. And so much work to try to restore some balance. It's so upsetting. Thanks kindly for the visit. :)

• Brian, I've finished your sentence off in a number of ways. People can indeed be idiots. Thanks for the visit. :)

• Tabor, we're not entirely sure why these geese died so quickly. On previous occasions when this happened, they survived after much longer exposure. These geese died within just an hour or two so it's quite possible that there was something more toxic along with the oil. There's no telling what some idiots might pour down the drain. There didn't seem to be enough to smother them this time, but I really don't have an educated guess to offer. If/when I hear more, I'll be sure to let everyone know. Thanks so much for your kind words. :)

• Lakeviewer, this guy is indeed self-serving. I can't imagine caring as little for our environment as he does. Thanks so much for the encouraging words. :)

• Bonnie, thank you so much for the kind words. I have little doubt that everyone who has read this post and most who have read the newspaper article already care enough to always do the right thing for the environment. And those that don't care probably never will. I was indeed shaken. It was so disturbing. Thank you so much for your encouragement. :)

• MPM, I hope so too. It will be quite the relief if they do. Thanks so much for stopping by. :)

• HC, welcome and thanks for your kind words. Very much appreciated. :)

• TechnoBabe, thanks very kindly. I hope something, somewhere will make a difference. I appreciate your visit. :)

• Margo, thanks. Unfortunately, this has been in the paper as many times as it's happened. And it's not helped so far. But we can always hope. :)

• Dianne, thank you. Nicky, is a tireless crusader and I'm so grateful that she's in my neighbourhood. I hope they get this guy too. Thanks so much. :)

• Leah, I hear you. I'll fill in those blanks .. in my head. Thanks for the visit. :)

• LWK, I'm very grateful for her too. She's done a lot for the critters in this neighbourhood. Thanks for stopping by. :)

• Baggie, I hope they find him too. If they can prove it, he'll not know what hit him fine-wise. This kind of thing is going on everywhere, I guess. It's just heartbreaking and there no excuse. We all know better by now. I hope they succeed in resolving it. Thanks so much for the kind words. :)

Hilary said...

• Ellen, you've got it. He does know and he doesn't care. Hopefully he will very soon. Thanks for the visit. :)

• Daryl, I'm hoping for both. Thanks for the kind words, but truly, it was all Nicky. :)

• Kerri, you with your beautiful birds. I knew this would hit you. I'm sorry. Thanks for stopping by with your always kind words. :)

• Cricket, cooking oil is more natural, but it still suffocates. Their feather don't repel it the way they do water. I think the silence is appropriate. Thank you. :)

• Frank, I knew the pics would bother you. Sorry. I'm bothered that it's two full days later and I can still hear the vacuums going, and it's after midnight as I type this. There's so much effort going into this clean up, so much money, so much loss. You'll probably see it all for yourself when you get here tomorrow. I hope they get them too. Thanks. :)

• Amy, that's so sad about the creek in your area. Some people just can't care about anything other than themselves. It truly is sad. Thanks so much for your very kind and supportive words. They're very much appreciated. :)

• TSannie, you're right. People do not think. That kind of wording might just make someone stop.. someone who kind of knows it's wrong but likes to pretend they don't know the consequences. It might just tip them over to the right side of the edge. But those who blatantly don't care, still won't. But yes, catching someone would be ideal. I'd sure love to be the one to snap that photo! Thanks so much for the kind words and I will keep everyone posted for sure. :)

• Sara, our geese are also here all winter long, despite the cold. I did a silly post about them a few weeks back - during the Olympics. They were out in full force then and for every day since, until this mess. I totally get your affection for them - they're wonderful creatures. I'm sorry for the sadness and I sure hope you're right about awareness but I think we're mostly preaching to the choir. Thanks so much for your kind words. :)

• Anon, the booms have been in place for several years now. They're changed when needed. I don't know if they're "smart sponges" but they're in place to filter the oil. The problem still happens.

• LD, they are investigating. Apparently it's a painstaking process of testing at every drain to determine where it's being dumped. But they went directly to the source of the area they suspect this time and confirmed suspicions. This isn't the first time but for some reason they were unable to prove conclusively other times. Maybe now that our Environment Canada is involved, we'll resolve it. We can hope. We need your kind of strict laws in place here too. Thank so much for stopping by. :)

• Welcome, Nezzy and thanks for your kind greeting. This city girl is right with the farm chick on these matters. Thanks so much for the encouraging words. They're very much appreciated. :)

Hilary said...

• DS, thanks kindly, but truly it was all Nicky. I was mostly along for the ride and to take pictures. I hope it helps too but you're quite right - either they don't believe it or they don't care. It's heartening to know that all my bloggie people do but that's no surprise. :)

• Thanks kindly, Maggie. I'm very grateful for Nicky and others like her as well. Thanks for stopping by. :)

• Thanks very much, Karen. I hope so too. Thanks for the visit. :)

• Amy, I sure hope so too. I'll keep you posted. Thanks for stopping by. :)

• KC, yes, we are indeed preaching to the choir. Everyone here knows. It's folks who just don't care. They know. They really do know better. Thanks so much for the kind words, my friend. :)

• Steviewren, I seriously doubt that he even bothers visiting the park. That would be indicative of an appreciation for nature. Thanks so much for the good wishes. :)

• Kelly, thanks very kindly. Much appreciated. :)

• Wendy, thanks so much for the kind, supportive words. They're very much appreciated. :)

• Thanks for stopping by, Cloudia. :)

Grayquill said...

GRRRRRRRR!!!!
In the US I would understand this story but Canada - beautiful prestine Canada? GRRRRR!!!
Good job bringing attention to this.

Anonymous said...

Sadly this story is repeated many times over in most corners of the world and I do not put it down to ignorance but to laziness and greed. By throwing grease of any type down in the drains the perpertrator avoids spending money to have it carted away and treated.

Steve Gravano said...

It's sad that with all we know as humans there are sill some that treat the environment with such disregard. Unfortunately, my opinion is that the fines are never enough. Good reporting Hilary.

Sandra said...

Hilary -- I think the restaurant owner isn't alone in not understanding how detrimental cooking oil can be! Our neighborhood association regularly puts reminders in our newsletter to NOT put cooking oil down the drain! If I hadn't been told that, I don't think I would have thought about it being harmful. Apparently, unlike your incident where it endangered wildlife, in municipal sewer systems the cooking oil that is put down the drains in home kitchens causes a real clog problem in the sewers.

Suldog said...

Such a shame. I always feel especially bad when I hear about geese, because don't they mate for life? If one goes down, I imagine the other searching for it's mate...

cheshire wife said...

What a sad story. Some people are so thoughtless.

Redbush said...

That's just so devastating that those beautiful birds have to suffer and die so that restaurants and huge corporations can prosper! The trouble is, they convince the public that they do everything according to environmental standards!There are so many pollutants that go into the streams and rivers around here that I'm sure that the fish and birds are being poisoned more and more. I've seen the "Catch and Release" signs, but, I've also seen the signs that warn you not to eat the fish. It's becoming scary!

Redbush said...

Hilary, I neglected to say thanks for your documentation of this. Your photos and description of this was unbelievable. I'm a real animal lover too, and I can't believe companies and people in general can be so thoughtless, and without a conscience. It says something the people in this day and age and doing everything for the mighty dollar. Yes, it rips my heart out! Hugs to you, Hilary, for having it published!

Display Name said...

That was definitely hard to see. I hope they also find out who is responsible and they get what they deserve.

Land of shimp said...

Oh no, Hilary, I was sitting here with my hand to my mouth in horror, and not simply because of animals unnecessarily dying. Heaven help me, I never gave any thought to cooking oil! None. I use nontoxic everything, and when we replaced our carpets, used ones make from recycled plastic bottles and...etc. etc. etc.

I never gave any thought to cooking oil. Good heavens, now our water drains to a waste water treatment center, so at least there is that, and frankly, it's so rare that I fry anything...but thank you, not just for helping with this, and brining it to our attention.

Hilary, I can't believe I just never gave that any thought. Just goes to show that even when you do things like use low VOC paint, blah blah blah, there can still be something you need to know about what is, and isn't earth friendly.

Unknown said...

Heartbreaking, but I was also tremendously moved by your compassion, Hilary. Thanks to this posting and your work with media, more and more people will mend their ways and save more wildlife. This is very important.

Mage said...

Thank you so much for helping. This is truly an unconscionable act.

photowannabe said...

A powerful and sad account Hilary. People just don't think about the consequences of their actions. Thank you for bringing the defilement to everyones attention.

Anonymous said...

This is so sad and frustrating. Some people don't see the damage they do and as you said, probably don't care. Nicky, you and the crew are Mother Nature's heros.

Anonymous said...

Hilary,
Great post and I hope something can be done to aid wildlife!

Shammickite said...

Thank goodness there are caring citizens like you and Nicky Hall and Lynne that will step up and make this kind of crime public. A sad story indeed. We are given these lovely places, filled with wildlife, and 95% of us appreciate how lucky we are and take stewardship of our wild places, it's the other 5% that change their car oil in the ditch or throw used cooking oil down the street drain. I hope the person or company who did this is exposed and fined. But even paying a hefty fine won't make a person with no conscience care, or understand why abusing our world is unacceptable.

Fragrant Liar said...

Thank you for posting this. It's your pictures of the geese that will make the most impact. When people see the negative results of their unconscionable actions, the outcries get louder and more fierce.

I hate to see those sweet creatures suffer and die that way, so again, I applaud your efforts and those of your friends. I hope the culprit is caught and punished accordingly and that this will prevent others from causing the same ills.

Hilary said...

• Grayquill, grrr indeed. Makes you wonder, eh? Thanks for the kind words. :)

• Moannie, you're right. It's a problem everywhere. It just speaks so loudly when it's in our own corner of the world. And right again about the reasons. It's such a problem. Thanks for coming by. :)

• Steve, I agree. I'd like to see this guy slapped with something more than a fine. Thanks for the visit. :)

• Sandra, yes I can imagine that congealed oil would be a real problem for drains. That an issue in itself but the problem here is that they're disposing of the oil down storm drains. which go directly to the lake as opposed to home kitchen/bathroom drains which to to treatment facilities. Different problems.. same basic act. Thanks for stopping by. :)

• Suldog, this is true. They do indeed mate for life and I had to wonder if one of the morning pair stuck around to be with her mate. There was a lone goose in the afternoon though. It's a heartbreaker. Thanks for stopping by. :)

• CW, this is true. Thanks for the visit. :)

• Redbrush, in this case, it's not a huge corporation but a small independent restaurant owner who just doesn't play by the rules. Thanks so much for the very kind and encouraging words. They're very much appreciated. :)

• Thanks, Rain. I do too. :)

• Shimp, by now you know we've communicated about this issue. So you can stop worrying about having done damage, because you have not. The kitchen drains do not go directly into the lake. This oil was poured down our storm drains. That goes to the lake. Thanks for the visit. :)

• Michael, thanks very much for the kind words. Much appreciated. :)

• Thanks kindly, Maggie. :)

• Sue, you're right. Too many people just don't think. Thanks for the visit. :)

• LadyCat, thanks very kindly for your warm and encouraging words. :)

• Bach, I hope so too. :)

• Shammie, a fine won't make him care but I sure hope it can deter him from ever doing this again. I can hope. Thanks very much for the kind words. Much appreciated. :)

• FL, I sure hope you're right. I hate to see the suffering too. Thanks very much for the kind words. They've very much appreciated. :)

Unknown said...

This makes my blood boil.
I think people assume a little corner of the big picture doesn't matter as you said, but it absolutely does.

There just never seems an end to man's inhumanity to creation. Ironic.

Thumbelina said...

Over late, as ever, but sobbing now at the carnage. They are ruining the earth - or casting their spittle in God's face - and He doesn't like it. :(
Neither do we. Well done you and Nicky and I hope you manage to highlight this and stop whoever is doing this.
They are defenceless. They deserve better. Thank you for a well written, great, (but I'm afraid to say, very upsetting) post.

Hilary said...

• Deb, I feel the same way. It's heartbreaking and makes me very angry. Thanks for stopping by to comment. :)

• Thumbelina, I totally agree. It's a disgusting, selfish act. Not a thought to repercussions. So I hope fines will be forthcoming. That's the only way they'll understand. Thanks so much for stopping by. :)

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Hilary: Wonderful job of catching the rescue and the demise of the goose. I hope what you have done will help solve the problem.

SandyCarlson said...

This breaks my heart. Makes me angry. Thank you for being the kind soul you are.

Hilary said...

• Thanks, Fishing Guy. I hope so too. :)

• Sandy, I feel the same way.. angry and heartbroken. And I always very much see YOU as that kind soul. Thanks for the kind words. :)

Reb said...

Very well done post Hilary. I am proud of you and your friends for taking part in the clean up and for posting about this. Short of putting cameras and/or alarm systems on each manhole cover, I have a feeling it will take a long time before this kind of things stops for good.
One of our immigrant tenants poured hot grease on the base of a tree one time - hot enough to scorch the tree! Sadly we didn't catch them at it, but we have a tenant who very kindly translates notices for us into the most common of that language. Hopefully the culprit read and learned something.

Sorry I am so late ;)

Hilary said...

Thanks so much, Reb. I worry that this will indeed be an ongoing problem unless something puts some fear into this guy. For the last few instances, it's believed to be the same guy. I haven't heard anything new about the outcome yet.

I hope the guy in your complex sure learns not to do such a crazy thing. I can sort of understand someone thinking a storm drain is a sewer but pouring hot oil on a tree's roots is just despicable. Thanks for stopping by, Reb. It's good to see you in circulation. :)