Week 26 - Diving for something different - The Bufflehead

 

 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 males are diving constantly one trying to outdo the other.  All of the sudden one will lead the way and all of them follow this leader to the middle of the pond. After a few minutes, their allegiance wanes and they break off seeing the bigger parts of the pond for themselves, always congregating back at the reeds in mere moments.
Merlin doesn't identify my ducks so I go to google and find out they are Buffleheads. A visitor of Texas in the winter only.  Buffleheads reside in the old nests of other birds and stay with one mate for several years. 
They seem a lighthearted bunch but serious about what's under the water. 
What else is there, what else can the duck consume that he cannot see unless he dives under the water, 
So many opportunities will pass while his head is above water. It must be hard to stay in the moment, knowing tasty treats may be floating by at any moment. It is as though ducks have two worlds to constantly be exploring. If the air seems drab and there are no insects buzzing around, well then just take a dive, and BOOM, a whole new world.
This behavior begs the question " What is below the surface?"  
I'm eating with friends, the queso is getting cold and my company is looking distracted. What's below the surface?  I ask my son, "How was your day?" and after he says " fine " like every day, I contemplate, What is below the surface answer?  Now, this is could get annoying, reading too much into dialogue and body language but maybe rather it is learning to see people, enjoy people, be present, and open myself up.  Before I try and explore what is below the surface of all my interactions I should maybe look at myself. What is below my desire to be a good cook yet never wanting to cook? Am I willing to dive my head in and explore it? Will it give me a rush or will it sadden me? Knowing the two are available, the surface and below, well, maybe it's a little exhilarating sort of like the feeling I get when I discover a bird.  Wow, I never knew this, now I do. How can one's world not be richer from knowing both? 
Buffleheads, you have given me food for thought, please keep enjoying your different perspectives after clear cool water covers your head and washes your face, showcasing a whole other arena of food and life. Now, I am curious if going below the surface would bring me the same delight. 
Until next time,

the birds and me bid you adieu and please let me know if you decide to peek below the surface. 

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