David , great post on these trying times. And the first color photo of the great blue heron is spectacular. Those greens! So rich. A true complement that accentuates the heron’s regal blues. And that final color shot with the marsh grasses on fire in the golden light. You have a true gift behind the lens.
So many of your readers agree, David, including me. I’m glad I voted early. It’s out of my hands now and so I’ve turned my attention to the autumn tasks around the gardens-and admiring the birds attracted to our them.
Ooops, somehow grabbed the wrong link. Meant to post a link to the one you called out so others could enjoy, as well. Listened to the whole album. Thanks, Tom.
He’s got a really good sound and a great attitude. It’s funny you shared that one song, cuz it’s another of my favorites. I wasn’t kidding about going out for a walk: we went on an 11 mile jaunt on the Whitehorse Trail, ending at the Oso Slide Memorial. As memorials go, it’s pretty good.
Thank you, David, for your shimmering, generous words and gorgeous photos. I was rooting for that heron to catch a fish! I’ve watched our cove’s resident GBH do just that and delighted that, every time, after she waits till it stops fidgeting and swallows it whole, she leans back down to take a dainty sip of water. These birds are the embodiment of stillness, patience, grace and trust. They can hold any amount of our grief and longing. Their spindly legs are that strong. Much appreciation to you. 💚
One can tell that you have indeed listened, watched, tarried… been made more whole by time with herons. They do seem rather Yoda-like in manner, absolutely explosive energy cloaked in stillness and an uncanny ability to wait …….until that one, lightning fast moment. Then stillness again.
I am grateful to know you, honored by your generosity.
The feeling is mutual! "absolutely explosive energy cloaked in stillness" = EXACTLY!!
Just read this delightful passage in Mary Oliver's essay, "The Ponds": "Great blue herons, like angels carved by Giacometti, are common." Isn't that perfect!?
I hope many people of your country will read these words dear David, I hope they have the possibility of finding a little solace in a blue heron too - I do not envy this repetition of horrors you must face, my heart feels very heavy for you all.
I know you will keep listening to the nattering you love and understand... courage my friend, courage.
Thank you for these exquisite photos - that first literally too my breath away!
I have listened and listened to both sides. Unlike most people, I had a hard time deciding. But I made my vote for decency, because decency will overcome much. Decency and courtesy are what I want surrounding me. I voted and it was a very freeing action.
At some point you cannot look at what a tree has grown and pretend it is not what it is, and you know that you would never willingly feed it to your child, friend or grandchild.
We must not give up. We must find a way forward so everyone can live a life of dignity, connection, and positive contribution. Everyone deserves to enjoy a measure of safety and freedom. There is no "us" and "them." There is only we, the life on this extraordinary planet.
This is another helpful post acknowledging the mental cost and fear of his possible return. It wasn't until Trump that I fully understood how traumatized I was from a verbally abusive marriage I had left 20+ years before. Thank you for the good thoughts and remedies prescribed. This is planting season in my SoCal climate--it helps. Clearing out and pruning, preparing for eventual rain and living with good expectations of what's ahead--at least in the garden.
Find some safe, dim corner of your imagination, somewhere and give yourself permission to light a candle. I have a feeling that we're on the verge of something wonderful, Leslie. Can't prove it. Gotta wait, just like you. But I have this little sense, hear this timid little voice from time to time. Not only are we not going back, I get this sense that we're about to leap forward and all these shadowy things have had to step out from their hiding places before we could finally see them clearly and stiffen our resolve to say no. "HELL NO!"
How did we ever get here. And what does that say about so many of our fellow Americans, our neighbors, friends and family. A gaping crevasse between loved ones, initially formed by one foul mouth and a copious amount of lies. How do we ever forgive or heal. How do we forget idiocy. I have done almost all those things on your list. Thank you for sharing yours. I’ve added a few extras of my own, like reading your words and knowing, though Seattle is miles away from Vermont, you are standing next to me.
“…to find something beautiful…” like focusing on your gorgeous photography of one of my favorite birds (if there is such a thing to have favorites in the bird world ) the Great Blue was my first introduction to bird watching, a ‘century ago’ when I was in high school. They hold a special place in my heart. Heart focus, another to add to my list.
Yes
Perfectly captured, with incredible wisdom. Thank you, David.
I am smiling, gratefully, Troy. And yes, I just pinched myself. Not dreaming. Thank you.
David , great post on these trying times. And the first color photo of the great blue heron is spectacular. Those greens! So rich. A true complement that accentuates the heron’s regal blues. And that final color shot with the marsh grasses on fire in the golden light. You have a true gift behind the lens.
You, Sir have made my evening. Thank you for your kind words.
So many of your readers agree, David, including me. I’m glad I voted early. It’s out of my hands now and so I’ve turned my attention to the autumn tasks around the gardens-and admiring the birds attracted to our them.
You are wise beyond your years, Martha.
Thanks for making time to drop a note.
Loved this David, thank you. I’m off to the woods.
Oh, and you might like the Mick Flannery song “Fuck Off World;” it expresses some of the same sentiment, though in saltier terms.
https://open.spotify.com/track/7tkOm1ZNcIg4lKu0XCQgCq?si=f5aad0154c7c4825
Damn, Tom. Kinda wonderful! Thank you!
Oh yeah, I like that one too!
Ooops, somehow grabbed the wrong link. Meant to post a link to the one you called out so others could enjoy, as well. Listened to the whole album. Thanks, Tom.
https://youtu.be/773r83k8FK4?si=W8lVYabaweE-X7Nn
He’s got a really good sound and a great attitude. It’s funny you shared that one song, cuz it’s another of my favorites. I wasn’t kidding about going out for a walk: we went on an 11 mile jaunt on the Whitehorse Trail, ending at the Oso Slide Memorial. As memorials go, it’s pretty good.
Strong work!
Thank you, David, for your shimmering, generous words and gorgeous photos. I was rooting for that heron to catch a fish! I’ve watched our cove’s resident GBH do just that and delighted that, every time, after she waits till it stops fidgeting and swallows it whole, she leans back down to take a dainty sip of water. These birds are the embodiment of stillness, patience, grace and trust. They can hold any amount of our grief and longing. Their spindly legs are that strong. Much appreciation to you. 💚
One can tell that you have indeed listened, watched, tarried… been made more whole by time with herons. They do seem rather Yoda-like in manner, absolutely explosive energy cloaked in stillness and an uncanny ability to wait …….until that one, lightning fast moment. Then stillness again.
I am grateful to know you, honored by your generosity.
Thank you.
The feeling is mutual! "absolutely explosive energy cloaked in stillness" = EXACTLY!!
Just read this delightful passage in Mary Oliver's essay, "The Ponds": "Great blue herons, like angels carved by Giacometti, are common." Isn't that perfect!?
🙏
I hope many people of your country will read these words dear David, I hope they have the possibility of finding a little solace in a blue heron too - I do not envy this repetition of horrors you must face, my heart feels very heavy for you all.
I know you will keep listening to the nattering you love and understand... courage my friend, courage.
Thank you for these exquisite photos - that first literally too my breath away!
Through tears-I thank you for writing this.
Big hug, Marilyn.
Deep breaths.
(I think many of us are barely sipping the air, tiny, fearful breaths.)
I see you.
We're not going back.
And this weighty darkness, this cloud, it feels like it could be an ending
but it may be a beginning...
Thank you for the kindness of your words.
I have listened and listened to both sides. Unlike most people, I had a hard time deciding. But I made my vote for decency, because decency will overcome much. Decency and courtesy are what I want surrounding me. I voted and it was a very freeing action.
I'm with you, Pamela.
The fruits become inarguable.
At some point you cannot look at what a tree has grown and pretend it is not what it is, and you know that you would never willingly feed it to your child, friend or grandchild.
Thank you. This gives me hope.
🙏
Thank you, David, for the blue heron for the reminder of turning toward love.
Holly, you have distilled this so beautifully!
"...the reminder of turning toward love."
Thank you so much, David
We must not give up. We must find a way forward so everyone can live a life of dignity, connection, and positive contribution. Everyone deserves to enjoy a measure of safety and freedom. There is no "us" and "them." There is only we, the life on this extraordinary planet.
Beautiful💫✨
Great advice and beautiful photos!
This is another helpful post acknowledging the mental cost and fear of his possible return. It wasn't until Trump that I fully understood how traumatized I was from a verbally abusive marriage I had left 20+ years before. Thank you for the good thoughts and remedies prescribed. This is planting season in my SoCal climate--it helps. Clearing out and pruning, preparing for eventual rain and living with good expectations of what's ahead--at least in the garden.
Find some safe, dim corner of your imagination, somewhere and give yourself permission to light a candle. I have a feeling that we're on the verge of something wonderful, Leslie. Can't prove it. Gotta wait, just like you. But I have this little sense, hear this timid little voice from time to time. Not only are we not going back, I get this sense that we're about to leap forward and all these shadowy things have had to step out from their hiding places before we could finally see them clearly and stiffen our resolve to say no. "HELL NO!"
Kind and beautiful reply. I will, Thanks.
How did we ever get here. And what does that say about so many of our fellow Americans, our neighbors, friends and family. A gaping crevasse between loved ones, initially formed by one foul mouth and a copious amount of lies. How do we ever forgive or heal. How do we forget idiocy. I have done almost all those things on your list. Thank you for sharing yours. I’ve added a few extras of my own, like reading your words and knowing, though Seattle is miles away from Vermont, you are standing next to me.
“…to find something beautiful…” like focusing on your gorgeous photography of one of my favorite birds (if there is such a thing to have favorites in the bird world ) the Great Blue was my first introduction to bird watching, a ‘century ago’ when I was in high school. They hold a special place in my heart. Heart focus, another to add to my list.
Oh, and hope, I’m focusing on hope.
"...and knowing, though Seattle is miles away from Vermont, you are standing next to me."
Right here, Lor. Right here.
Thank you for this brave note.
And thank you for being brave enough to post your thoughts and feelings.