It takes a quiet mind and heart to hear your own impulse to backtrack. What a sweet reward for that inner quiet! I love the way this bird measures his steps so carefully.
This is great, Neil! The Black-crowned Night Herons are my favorites. Thank you for sharing this full circle experience with us. I really like the reflections and videos, it's not often that I see these herons on the move, esp. from a goose! A good instinct on your part to backtrack.
Thanks, Heidi and much appreciated! This heron was really interested in that area of the park. Haha, good catch on the goose as well in that video clip. You can see the second the heron realized the goose is heading for them. That goose has a mate on a nest about 20 feet from where there heron was that day.
I frequently encounter Black-crowned Herons on my own beach and bay walks. They curiously watch my movement and seem to want conversation. I often oblige.
That's great that you're able to encounter them often. They do have a unique manner about them different than their more well-known Great Blue cousins.
This poem will stay with me awhile, Neil. Thank you! And what a sweet little heron. Like Ann, I noticed how carefully and mindfully he walked. Like a walking meditation practice.
Thanks, Ann and I'm glad you like this poem. This poem was truly inspired by that heron and those careful steps along the fallen logs. A happy coincidence I was able to see them again after backtracking on my hike. :)
They’re so majestic. I saw my first of the year on Saturday and was just awed by its incredible patience as it stalked its prey. Not even twitching. Love this one Neil. Bravo 👏
This is beautiful, Neil. I see this bird here in India as well, love its striking red eyes and how the korean name says white not black! As for living on that edge, the heron and me, both!!!
Thanks, Rajani and interesting to know that they are also native to India. I had never seen one before during my time in Korea. The Korean naming is kind of odd when you consider their colours!
Excellent Sijo Neil, and one that can only come from deep experience. Hear my own clumsy poem
One day, one becomes certain of never leaving the path and then the path is their true home.
Having come to this certainty of no-regression one is joyous and at peace.
Having reached this certainty one has crossed over to the other shore
The other shore is.no different than than that left yet there's no way to return.
The oars are abandoned, practices are not important. Yst one still leaves footprints.
Just what was the original intent of the Buddha?
Thank you, Michael and I appreciate your poem - a question that I could not answer in words, but perhaps in action.
Neil, that poem is perfect! It fits so well with the bird. I love seeing them. Thank you!
Thanks, Aria and much appreciated! These herons have a uniqueness about them that is hard to describe sometimes. :)
Still shots are beautiful. And love seeing how the heron moves. Careful steps - then escape.
Thanks, Leah and much appreciated.
It takes a quiet mind and heart to hear your own impulse to backtrack. What a sweet reward for that inner quiet! I love the way this bird measures his steps so carefully.
Thanks, Ann and definitely a nice reward for backtracking - not something I was expecting at all. :)
Lovely sijo Neil! I have never seen this heron before, I love the name “night heron”…mystique added to an already intriguing bird.
Thanks, Emma and much appreciated! They are quite the interesting heron and I hope you have the opportunity to see one someday.
Trying to straddle,
span the space between the worlds.
Without wingspan aid.
...
Poet spotted bird,
zoomed in, joined in mindful walk.
We played “Where’s Heron?”
I love these haiku, Marisol! Thank you and very much appreciated!
Fascinated by the video of their stealthy steps!
Thanks, Catherine! I really liked how the heron took those stealthy steps in that first video. :)
This is great, Neil! The Black-crowned Night Herons are my favorites. Thank you for sharing this full circle experience with us. I really like the reflections and videos, it's not often that I see these herons on the move, esp. from a goose! A good instinct on your part to backtrack.
Thanks, Heidi and much appreciated! This heron was really interested in that area of the park. Haha, good catch on the goose as well in that video clip. You can see the second the heron realized the goose is heading for them. That goose has a mate on a nest about 20 feet from where there heron was that day.
Thanks, Neil. I had to watch the video clip a few times, it was quite a strike from the goose. Protecting a nest makes sense!
I frequently encounter Black-crowned Herons on my own beach and bay walks. They curiously watch my movement and seem to want conversation. I often oblige.
That's great that you're able to encounter them often. They do have a unique manner about them different than their more well-known Great Blue cousins.
They particularly love to hang out by the fresh fish market next to the pier, where fresh catch scraps are often tossed their way.
This poem will stay with me awhile, Neil. Thank you! And what a sweet little heron. Like Ann, I noticed how carefully and mindfully he walked. Like a walking meditation practice.
Thanks, Ann and I'm glad you like this poem. This poem was truly inspired by that heron and those careful steps along the fallen logs. A happy coincidence I was able to see them again after backtracking on my hike. :)
Beautiful! And I loved how you intermixed the photos with video.
Thanks, Sean and much appreciated!
Lovely pictures and bird, as usual! What a cacophony in the background!
The black-crowned heron: is that tuxedo and crown black or navy?
He plods softly and slowly in his orange stockings,
donning a white shirt and resembling a penguin on stilts!
Thanks, Carole and much appreciated! A fine sijo of yours as well! :)
Hope I did it right!😊
Beautifully done! :)
They’re so majestic. I saw my first of the year on Saturday and was just awed by its incredible patience as it stalked its prey. Not even twitching. Love this one Neil. Bravo 👏
Thanks, Nathaniel and agreed. I really like the way this heron stalked so carefully in that first video clip.
What a magical name for a beautiful bird!
Agreed, Melissa - they do have that air about them!
so close! they're very elusive here
Thanks, Idris - I was really fortunate that day to be so close. :)
This is beautiful, Neil. I see this bird here in India as well, love its striking red eyes and how the korean name says white not black! As for living on that edge, the heron and me, both!!!
Thanks, Rajani and interesting to know that they are also native to India. I had never seen one before during my time in Korea. The Korean naming is kind of odd when you consider their colours!