Week 19 - Great White Egret

 

This beautiful creature appeared as I drove over the bridge on Lakeway Blvd, and headed home for lunch. Its stark white color stood magnificently against a grey sky. The Egret was completely still, stalking prey in the pond to my left.  It took my breath away and then I remembered, " I don't have a bird yet."  It's interesting how a bird like this could have missed my radar for so many years. I have lived in Houston and Corpus Christi, both cities home to many egrets. But now, now that I am actually watching for birds their beauty is a whole different level of delight for me. The S shape of their frame, the bright color of the beak, and the delicate movements made while hunting all fascinate me.  What I didn't know but understand completely now that I have learned it, is that White Egrets are a sign of good fortune and prosperity. This is exactly the sentiment I felt as I drove by the second day and saw the same egret in the same place. Peace and a sense of hope rushed through me.  Maybe it was the feeling of luck that at I observed the same egret hunting the same way at the exact time I needed it. But I couldn't tie up all my feelings with luck alone.  The scene of the egret against the grey sky in the pond returned to me all week. When relationships were sticky when life seemed frustrating, the egret was in the back of my head. Its presence quelled irritation and inspiring calm in the midst of the unknown. 
I was not expecting this sentiment toward a bird. I have a God who fortifies me and gives me peace and without reservation, I attribute all good and peace to Him.  Perhaps Egret is a messenger of sorts. A kind of magical force created by God that bestows peace and a sense of hope whether one is looking for it or not.
I will accept its gift and be thankful for its presence.  Especially since the Egret was the reason for the formation of the honorable Audobon Society for the purpose of saving the birds from being killed for their feathers. These birds define elegance and I am grounded by their beauty.
Until next time,
The birds and I bid you adieu,

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Week 5 - Modify equals multiply- The Goldfinch

Image
  The Goldfinch, even though common to my area,  never ceases to bring a burst of happiness when flying to visit the feeder.  These are one of the only species of common backyard birds that are increasing in number over the past50 years.  Goldfinch thrives in environments modified by humans, like parks and neighborhoods.  The Lesser Goldfinch is very popular in my area and they have the name "lesser" because they are actually "lesser" in appearance but can hold their own for sure.  The yellow is like a sunburst and when there is a flock of them at a birdfeeder the sparkle of the yellow flitting around is like a ball of sunshine that is constantly moving, glittering yellow that you can't take your eye off of. If the Goldfinch thrives in areas modified by humans it begs the question do we, humans, thrive in the areas we modify?  I have 2 daughters who would rather sleep in a forest than inside a house.  They love freshwater rivers and climbing rocks...
Read more

Week 6 - Mad tools - The Green Heron

Image
  I found him, finally.  On a hunt for my Monday bird, I was determined to make it a heron of some sort.  I predicted a blue heron but as the morning wore on and it began to get warmer I was still without a heron, and without a bird that made itself known.  As Kirby and I walked around Landa park in New Braunsfels we stopped over the still water that gathered under a bridge but for a considerable width.  Was that a stick out there or was it a turtle? No, binoculars affirmed, it was a bird, stalking its prey. He sat with his beak tilted down staring at the surface of the water. His green head shone from the morning sun. His eyes were intense, his beak ready to make the kill.   It became "the day of herons" actually.  After my first green, there were blue, tri-colored,  juveniles, and small blues.  The green heron however is acutely aware of its resources. It is one of the only birds that use tools to fish.  Because of their mad skill...
Read more

Week 26 - Diving for something different - The Bufflehead

Image
   I drove up to the empty library parking lot. " Good, I"m all alone" I like to be with people but not when bird watching.  It's the strangest most exhilarating phenomenon to me, that when I discover, observe and learn about particular birds, I am completely tuned in with no desire to share my experience with anyone at the moment.  It is only me and the birds.  Such was the case this particular cool clear afternoon. I sat down on the rocks that overlook the pond at the community library, binoculars and field guide in hand.  In moments I see a huddle of ducks beneath the reeds that surround the pond, They are quite active, diving and swimming. On closer look these ducks are a magnificent sparkling white and black, very distinct and the head is quite large even a little funny looking,  There appear to be male and female as the girls are less bright in color, but no less busy. The girls appear to communicate with each other in a less hurried way, and the...
Read more