Bodyguard Of Birds" Makes Nests By Waste Washing Ashore

A former body guard, Saadettin Erbaş, living in Aegean province of İzmir makes nests for birds using wooden wastes that wash ashore the coast, while enjoying to have sheltered birds with more than 600 nests so far.

Erbaş is known as the "bodyguard of birds" in Alsancak district of İzmir, since he vitalizes wood and turn it to birds' life space at the Arni Wood Repair Shop.

Erbaş's passion for wooden art dates back to his childhood; he says he had given shape to wood for the first time in his life, at his grandfather' atelier in Blacksea region. After having worked as a bodyguard for 20 years, Erbaş tells that he has turned his passion for wooden engraving to a profession, while protecting these little living beings under nests.

Since 2006, he keeps engraving wood and making custom-made designs, including original tables, gift boxes, and bird nests in his own shop.

"I do indoor design for many cafes and restaurants in Alsancak. If I could find a sponsor, I would even make wooden cars" claims Erbaş.

The difference of his works lies, apparently, behind its environmentalist approach. The bodyguard of birds make use of recycling-friendly wooden wastes that wash ashore the coast and other wooden materials.

"I utilize shoes, plastic pipe and footballs. Bird nests are sold for 50 liras. I never use measurement while producing, I improvise and use the wooden material I have near at hand" says Saadettin Erbaş.

Erbaş also reminds that the culture of making nests for birds date back to the Ottomans.

"I can even make a wooden Pinocchio, but he would not be able to speak I believe" said the artistic bodyguard of birds in İzmir.

(Photo) - İzmir