Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week the Great Blue Heron, (GBH) and a poem by the late great Mary Oliver.
Heron Rises From The Dark, Summer Pond
So heavy
is the long-necked, long-bodied heron,
always it is a surprise
when her smoke-colored wings
open
and she turns
from the thick water,
from the black sticks
of the summer pond,
and slowly
rises into the air
and is gone.
Then, not for the first or the last time,
I take the deep breath
of happiness, and I think
how unlikely it is
that death is a hole in the ground,
how improbable
that ascension is not possible,
though everything seems so inert, so nailed
back into itself–
the muskrat and his lumpy lodge,
the turtle,
the fallen gate.
And especially it is wonderful
that the summers are long
and the ponds so dark and so many,
and therefore it isn’t a miracle
but the common thing,
this decision,
this trailing of the long legs in the water,
this opening up of the heavy body
into a new life: see how the sudden
gray-blue sheets of her wings
strive toward the wind; see how the clasp of nothing
takes her in.
Mary Oliver
“Native American Lore: In Native American cultures, herons represent wisdom and patience. They are seen as intelligent creatures that guide humans to live harmoniously with nature.”
As always, thanks for looking. Have a great week. Stay warm. I hope you enjoyed the snow in Florida. Send some our way. G
14 thoughts on “The Stunning Great Blue Heron. 01-22-2025”
Lovely familiar words of Mary Oliver’s and beautiful your eye’s view of this bird doing what it does. Thank you.
Thank you, Alice. I really appreciate it. Hope you’re doing well. G
“Stunning” is indeed where vocabulary only begins to describe the beauty of both the images & the poetry……thanks Geraint
Thanks so much, John, that means a lot to me. I hope you’re doing well and staying warm. G
Beautiful photos!! We live in SC, and we have many of those here.
Thanks so much for letting me know, Melissa. If I ever make it there I’ll be on the lookout. SC one of the few states I haven’t visited. G
Thanks Geraint and Mary
That was awesome!
Thank You .
Grateful for the solace the photos and Mary Oliver’s words offer.
M
Thanks so much, Mara. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Stay well. G
Great images, Geraint and such a fitting poem selection! Great Blues are one of my favorite birds to photograph. They are such beautiful creatures and always literally stop me in my tracks.
Paul
Again that means a lot coming from you, Paul. And I agree with you, my heart almost stops and soul and being soars when they lift off. Stay well. G
Hi love seeing herons. Great shot with the wings out stretched
Like the poem too love Alison.
Thanks so much, Alison. It’s good to hear from you. I hope you are doing well and staying safe in those storms you’re having. Best wishes. G
Lovely images, your photographs with Mary Oliver’s poem.