national bird day

Pascal Fellonneau / image via www.Booooooom.com

IN CASE YOU weren’t aware, January 5th is National Bird Day.  Why, you might question, do we need a National Bird Day and furthermore, why are you reading about it on a design blog?  Funny you should ask!  Because according to NBII.gov, “…findings indicate that a third of North America’s bird populations declined during the last half of the 20th century!”

Ida Nordung / image via www.Booooooo.com

And unless we take action, we’re looking at further contributing to that striking toll.  Most unfortunate is the pending termination of NBII, our National Biological Information Infrastructure, as a result of the President’s Budget Request.  As of January 15th, 2012, NBII.gov will no longer be available to citizens.  Through the heroic work and concentrated efforts of eco and biological community resources, conservation and education based efforts will continue to make progress.  However, progress lies only in the minds of the informed and efforts of the active.  I hope you’ll take a moment to read about National Bird Day and discover conservation programs in your local area.

Inspired by the interpretive craft of artisans celebrating avian beauty, here is birdie round up!

Shelli Markee, Birds in Flight / image via www.ShelliMarkee.com

Shelli Markee’s incredible wire art, titled Birds in Flight, are sold individually and mounted seamlessly from your wall and ceiling.  Their lifelike nature is completely unique to each bird, and simply expresses a sense of weightlessness and individuality, a treat for the eyes and soul.

Ingibjörg Hanna Bjarnadottir, Krummi Bird Hanger / image via www.Mjolk.ca

As carefully noted by John and Juli Baker of the god-send Toronto based shop Mjölk (say Mi Yelk), Krummi is Icelandic for Raven.  Bjarnadottir designed this clever hanger to inspire us to wear our beautiful, shiny clothes each day – rather than let them sit away gathering dust in our closets!  Ravens after all are attracted to shiny objects…

Crocodile and Parrot Animal Plate / image via www.Far4.net

At 10 1/4″ in diameter, {far 4} shop in Seattle, WA is currently host to an extraordinary selection of hand painted, high fired ceramic, decorative Animal Plates.  Though the above Crocodile and Parrot plate fits the theme, other favorites include the Gecko, Carp, Chameleon and Frog and Bee.

Tree and Swallows, by CFA Voysey. Letterpress Stationary. / image via www.MonsterMarketPlace.com

CFA Voysey’s Tree and Swallows has long been a favorite of mine.  The fact that Mainer letterpress company Saturn Press offers it as part of their venerable V&A Museum collection is a delight!  Buy packs of the Tree and Swallows here.

And what birdie blog post would be complete without the mentioning of the great Olivier Messiaen.  As one of the 20th centuries most formidable composers and ornithologists, his work remains a brilliant marriage between the natural and creative worlds.