When a small town like Bodega Bay becomes a film location, its a big deal. Back in 1963, locals were excited to get into the action. Some landed parts as extras, while everyone shared in local bragging rights. And now, 50 years later, Bodega Bay residents still describe where they're from with statements like, "I'm from Bodega Bay, you know, the town where Hitchcock filmed "The Birds." For our town, The Birds has become a badge of pride, and we're still abuzz and about the business of The Birds. Every year Bodega Bay hosts several events, and almost every year, Tippi Hedren drops by to join in the festivities.

At our 2013 Hitchcock Gala in December, Linda and I found ourselves in front of a large specialized Blu-ray video screen playing the Tides Restaurant scene from The Birds. There was Melanie Daniels (Tippi Hedren) talking on the phone, and behind her on the restaurant's wall was a painting which appeared to Linda and me to be a painting by Joshua Meador.

We have featured Joshua Meador paintings at our gallery for seven years now, and have seen many examples of his work. In that moment, Linda and I agreed that we must investigate this painting further.

The painting's locale seems to be the south side of Meridith Wharf just north of the Tide's restaurant. We have sold a Meador painting of the North side of the dock and other Bodega Bay boat scenes, so to see one displayed on the Tides restaurant wall seemed most appropriate.

How we wish we could view this painting in person! As we look at a fuzzy photo from the film, we are not totally convinced. The aspect ratio and size of this painting appears to be 20 x 24, not a frequent choice for Meador. When we blew up the image of the painting, we found insufficient clarity to make out palette knife strokes or a signature or other telltale signs enabling us to attribute the painting to Joshua Meador. The composition, apparent palette and subject matter are consistent with other Joshua Meador paintings done in Bodega Bay.

By the time The Birds was filmed in Bodega Bay in 1963, Josh was pretty much retired from the Walt Disney Studios. Walt kept Josh on the payroll and would ask Josh to return to Los Angeles to do special projects. For the most part Josh dedicated himself to his fine art painting. He and Libby built their dream home on the cliffs of Caspar, CA, just north of Mendocino. Libby ran a gallery there and managed the sale of Josh's work while Josh maintained his cliffside studio. Part of Libby's duties was consigning Josh's paintings in galleries and restaurants along the coast.

Here are some scenes of Joshua Meador's work done here in Bodega Bay. Libby and Phil told us Josh would drive to Bodega Bay in the late 1940's and early 1950's, driving his wood paneled station wagon and pulling their tear drop trailer. Phil and Libby would take long walks after setting up camp. Josh would busy himself painting plein air while Phil and Libby entertained themselves with long walks. When painting, Josh endured curious onlookers and often sold his paintings directly off his easel. He also sold through galleries in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

I took off my jacket, and after two tries, the pelican was securely wrapped and in my arms. His mouth was wide open though, and the pelican did his best to fend off my "helpful" efforts to grasp his gaping beak. It seemed large enough to engulf my whole head, but I persisted. After a couple of tries, I loosely held his beak in my left hand and headed uphill to the parking lot, holding my large and unwilling friend with my right arm.

I wish I had a photo of our hike from the beach. I thought about taking a photo, but holding a pelican and taking a selfie just cannot be done. I must have been quite the sight, toting a live pelican up the hill from the ocean and across the golf course parking lot to Heron Drive. I was really disappointed that the golfers offered no joking comments or startled looks. I guess they had more important things on their minds.

Linda met me on Heron Drive with the car and after a little conversation, she suggested we name the pelican "Frank." While riding in the car, I talked to the Frank, telling him he was going to the Vets office, located oddly enough at Pelican Plaza. When we arrived, Howard had Frank's kennel awaiting him, clean and welcoming. Howard explained they would do triage, and then maybe send Frank to the Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue.

The next day, I received a phone call from Wildlife Rescue. They explained that the pelican was a juvenile and that he was not thriving. In their care, he ate fish though and appeared to be treatable. They wanted to transfer Frank to the International Bird Rescue in Fairfield.

Because the Wildlife Rescue concerns itself with a wide range of wildlife, it is not set up to provide long term care for sea birds. They then asked me to drive Frank to the International Bird Rescue in Fairfield.

The next day, I drove to Wildlife Rescue to transfer him to the International Bird Rescue. When I arrived, Frank was in a kennel ready for transport, covered with a pink bed sheet. An hour later, we arrived in Fairfield where I was greeted by staff member Isabel Luevano.

Isabel explained Frank would remain in their care for three to eight weeks and would be fed up to six pounds of fish per day. If successful, he would be released near where he was found. She then showed me the large aviary with long and deep rectangular tanks. It looked like a great spa for pelicans. At the far end of the aviary, I could see a white pelican roomie for Frank.

International Bird Rescue has done monumental work with sea birds, especially in response to oil spills. Since an oil spill in San Francisco Bay in 1971 over forty years ago, the International Bird Rescue has been active in helping thousands of seabirds every year. Many birds are impacted by oil spills, but there are also algae blooms, oil seeps, and even extreme weather. Over the years, the International Bird Rescue has established protocols and successful methods in helping sea birds recover and return to the wild.

Intervention with wild animals should never be taken lightly. The best thing to do if you see an animal in distress or a animal doing something out of the ordinary, is to call it in. And never pick up a seal pup because that could result in its being abandoned by its mother.

Below are some websites with more information.