Are you familiar with the infamous plume trade that supplied the millinery industry just over 100 years ago? This sign at the entrance to the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, near Naples, Florida, provides a glimpse into the history behind this practice . . . and, this incredible place. 
I cringe to think about it, but literally millions of beautiful wetland birds, like those pictured here, were slaughtered (many, nearly to extinction) in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s – just so their stunning plumage could adorn the hats of fashionable, wealthy women.
Read more in this 2018 Audubon article and on Wikipedia, Plume hunting.
Thankfully, the advocacy efforts of a group of women eventually led to an end to the plume trade in the U.S., to the establishment of the Audubon Society, and eventually to the historic Migratory Bird Treaty Act over a century ago (Smithsonian Magazine).
Today, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is a serene and tranquil place to stroll and immerse yourself in the peace and quiet. 
And if the birds are not as plentiful on a hot summer day, there are still many beautiful flowers blooming in the swamp~!
For more details about the history of this gentle, pristine wilderness, and its continuing relationship with the National Audubon Society, visit their website: Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. Better yet, visit in person!!
Click HERE for more info about the acquisition and development of Corkscrew Swamp by the Audubon Society.
Birder's Journey 
Corkscrew is one of my favorites. Great info on the plume trade. The feathers were sold wholesale by the pound! How many thousands of tail feathers were needed for a single pound 😳😳
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Hmmmm…. I was just reading something about that very question. I must check on the numbers.
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I did a One Word Sunday post on the trade a couple of months ago.
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Interesting! I’ll have to look for it. Or maybe you could send me a link.
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Here it is:
https://davidmsphotoblog.com/2019/06/23/fashion/
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Thanks for the link, David. Yes, the impact on the young orphaned birds was dreadful, as you pointed out. I see that I actually saw and commented on this back when you originally posted it, too☺️
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Beautiful comments and really wonderful outcome. Thanks for the pics!
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Yes, the outcomes were a vast improvement for wading birds at that time. Thankfully many conservation and wildlife advocacy efforts have continued.
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Great post on the plume history, with a thankful outcome of success in its ban. Gorgeous photos, Carol! I jumped over to Corkscrew Audubon website and KNOW I’d very much enjoy visiting this place! 🙂
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Thanks so much, Donna! Yes, I’m sure you’d love visiting Corkscrew. It’s a beautiful sanctuary. As you walk along, you can’t help but sense the respect visitors have for the birds and reverence for the serenity of the place. I hope you get there one day ☺️
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beautiful!
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It truly is a beautiful place.
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Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary looks wonderful. It’s interesting to learn a little about the sad history of the use of feathers in the millinery industry years ago.
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It’s amazing to think that the wholesale slaughter of beautiful wading birds was acceptable in the world of fashion only a century ago.
Come to think of it, there are frightening parallels in the 21st century fashion industry with the deplorable treatment of factory workers in faraway lands today!
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Reblogged this on Wolf's Birding and Bonsai Blog.
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Thank you so much for sharing my blog posts! Always a delight to meet another nature lover in the blogosphere!
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