First encounter for me of Sandhill Cranes. This pair where right there when we arrived that day in the Florida Everglades. Had to work fast and it wasn’t ideal for photography, but glad to document the experience. They took off in a stupendous flurry after a few frames, and remained feeding in the shallows all morning, some distance away. The last three show this.
© Pamir Kiciman 2013
Wood Stork II
© Pamir Kiciman 2013
As I wrote yesterday, this was one of the best encounters I’ve had with wildlife. The last photo here in which this wood stork is “sitting,” is how I first saw it. Apparently they do sit like this. The rest of the frames reveal how layered plumage can be, and just how flexible many birds are to be able to groom themselves. I love the angles, that’s all I can say!
Wood Stork
© Pamir Kiciman 2013
This is the first time I was able to be so close to a wood stork. When reviewing the fortunate frames I got, its plumage strikes me as really beautiful and surprising. Of course birds generally have great plumage. What’s surprising about this one is that it’s not so obvious. Being mostly white it’s hard to notice, especially when the creature is standing without any twists or angles.
In speaking about the non-dependence of the mind, Dōgen says, “Coming, going, the waterbirds don’t leave a trace, don’t follow a path.” There are many ways to understand. Driven by our need to be seen, the mind can understand in the manner that a plow cuts the earth, overturning everything it encounters; leaving nothing as it was found. Or as Dōgen suggests, in our need to see, the mind can understand in the manner that a waterbird enters and leaves water; with no trace, no path. Both ways of understanding have an intense history and lineage.
But why does he call the waterbird way a non-dependent way? Perhaps because in our dependence on being seen, heard, approved, and recognized, we insert our presence over being present. We build roads to get from here to there and quickly make the road and its path the totality of our life over the life the road moves through. We do the same with dreams and ambitions. We create goals like roads to attain and achieve and quickly substitute the path-hacking effort through life for the life our effort opens us to.
— Mark Nepo
Photo © Pamir Kiciman 2013
Nest Perch
© Pamir Kiciman 2012
This nesting Great Blue Heron was only a few feet away from the other one I posted recently. Regulars at the wetland told me they were probably a pair. Considering it’s nesting, that made sense. See the partner grooming here and here.
Nesting Perch II
© Pamir Kiciman 2012
It was a very windy day. Great Blue Heron’s have so many feathers around their neck, front and head that give them unique features and extra “decorations.” Here it is grooming in the wind. Its partner was grooming a lot too that day. Here it is after it was satisfied, displaying all its glory, and here too.
Stare Down II
© Pamir Kiciman 2012
There’s a gator in the background (tail end)…
