A Flock of Flamingoes
Driving across the Caribbean island of Bonaire in a hard-used rental truck equipped with a shimmy and loose steering, Joel and I crested a hill and saw approximately two hundred flamboyant pink flamingoes wading in a large body of shallow water. Their long, stretched-out necks and heads, barely submerged and held parallel to the pond’s floor, snaked back and forth searching for food in a mesmerizing underwater undulation of flamingo heads. Long minutes passed. We couldn’t stop watching
A Bevy of Belugas
But there they were, surging through the ocean waters of Cook’s Inlet in Alaska, leaping waves in equidistant rows, barreling toward the horizon: syncopated, buoyant, a playful army on the march. We joined other drivers who’d abandoned their cars on the shoulders of the highway and rushed to the edge of the water as the whales paraded before us in formation. Strangers no longer, we all watched with smiles on our faces, passing the word, belugas, to newcomers, until the last rank disappeared.
A Band of Rams
We came across five desert bighorn sheep as we explored Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah. Suddenly, the superior-seeming animals stood in our path: uninterested in and unalarmed by our presence. They noted our arrival and stood as though posing for our benefit, muscles flexed in case our intrusion became inconvenient. Stocky, confident, and indomitable, they stared at us from between rounded horns. We broke eye contact first.
A Pair of Peacocks Fly in Formation
Airborne, the peacocks winged their way above the narrow dirt road we followed along the Mississippi River. Both of the birds trailed tail feathers of length, partially fanned. They flew in tandem, outlined against a billowed cloud, their iridescent plumage highlighted by the afternoon sun. We watched their graceful passage across the sky and felt privileged.
A Lone Lizard Perform a Feat
It stalked the earth below a Mayan ruin in Belize. The few tourists present gave way before its royal pace and majestic body, nearly three-feet long and crowned with intimidating crests. Cameras clicked. Then the incredible happened. Startled by a noise we didn’t hear, or perhaps tired of our attention, the lizard reared on its hind legs and sprinted away. We gasped at the sight of an upright lizard running to cover. Later, I learned it was a common basilisk, more widely known as the Jesus lizard because it runs, erect, over both land and water.
I didn’t expect to see any of these marvels, but I was blessed to do so.
And in my mind, I see them still.
This reminds me of a quote from from the movie “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”, my all time favorite flick. To set the scene, a professional photographer (Sean O’Connell) and Walter Mitty are on a mountain side watching a Snow Leopard. Walter asks the photographer when he is going to take the picture and the photographer responds with, “Sometimes I don’t. If I like a moment, for me, personally, I don’t like to have the distraction of the camera. I just stay in it (the moment).”
As an amateur photographer, this quote struck home. The best lens we could ever have is the eye. The best “chip” is our memory. Sometimes it is best to have the memory instead of the distraction. You have just painted with your words, some BEAUTIFUL photography, taken through an astronomical lens and stored on your amazing “chip”. I stand in awe.
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Dawna, I have been trying to get the right words to explain my picture-taking dilemma: I prefer to soak scenes up with my senses, but love to look at photographs. Your words and the quote captured my thoughts. May I use them in a future blog if I can’t muster enough words of my own? And, as always, thank you for your kind words about my writing.
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You bet! 🙂
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Thanks, Dawna.
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This was fun to read. I like the observations and the running commentary.
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Thank you, Dan. It’s fun remembering such moments, fortunately, I have my husband to help keep my memories accurate.
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You guys make a great pair 🙂
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Yes, we do. I’m prone to exaggeration and he tends to minimize: a good system of checks and balances.
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You are fortunate to have such beautiful memories. I remember the day a deer decided to park in our back yard. (We’re in the city.) He spent the very hot day under our trees. I went out and left water, which did not frighten him. It was a delightful day.
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That does sound like a delightful day, Laurel. Did he drink the water?
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Wonderful imagery. I just wrote a description of a hummingbird using “iridescently.” I too keep those unexpected, wonderful encounters tucked away. They are good company on a winter’s evening. “Their long, stretched-out necks and heads, barely submerged and held parallel to the pond’s floor, snaked back and forth searching for food in a mesmerizing underwater undulation of flamingo heads.” Good stuff this.
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Thanks, Rob. I would have guessed you, too, have a treasure chest of vivid memories of outdoor adventures. I’ve long liked the word, undulation, and at last found a way to use it.
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Ha. An excellent word. I’ve seen Desert Big Horns in the wild. The other day I got close to some bull Elk working the side of a ridge.
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Elk are impressive creatures. I had a close encounter with one when walking near my home with a friend. I’ve never forgotten it and could have added it to this post.
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They’ll be bugling soon. I sometimes hear them in the creek bottoms while i’m stringing my rod.
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The town where I live depends on the fall hunting season for deer and elk for a boost to its flagging economy. Orange banners posted on businesses around town proclaim Craig the Elk Hunting Capital of the World and sometimes it seems its not an empty boast as hunters pour into town and traffic increases to the point we sometimes have to wait as long as a minute to cross our main streets where there’s no light. such excitement over shooting magnificent animals.
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I don’t hunt, but I’d eat elk three times a day if I could. I had a friend who did his hunting at the bar on “Lady”‘s night among the hunting widows. He said, “Well, it’s open range.” I found that offensive and cut ties with him; you can’t be my friend and act like that.
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I was raised with hunters and venison or elk for dinner; so, though I choose not to hunt I don’t denigrate those who hunt and make use of the meat.I’m glad the verb in your second sentence was “had” not “have.”
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My second night in Tasmania- camping in a remote park- very cold night. I got up at “O-Dark Nasty” to wee- in the moonlight, across a scrubby field, odd low lumps moved, a herd of sheep? No, a herd of Wombats…next to Flamingos my favorite creatures. I am writing about blessings right now- how wonderful that you got to see free Flamingos! And what a lovely post- another Tuesday in Home Odd Home- well lived. thanks Janet. (In a perfect world, every midnight wee would be an adventure)
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Well, I had to look up wombat before I could reply to you, Sheila. I had pictured the rather cute little things correctly, but knew nothing about them. While reading about them, I learned they have a rear pouch that keeps their babies mud-free while they’re digging and that they deposit cubic feces. I’d say you midnight wee was well rewarded.
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“Blessed are the bold, for they will see true, wild Flamingos.venture fearless up the back roads, marvel at the wonder of a Rocky Mountains Sheep…across the cable swing bridge stride..cast your wishes to the mystery of the canyon below, dark and deep…blessed are the kind…(Work in Poggress)
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I can hardly wait so see this work when it has progressed. Please don’t fail to share it with me.
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Oh, the lizard. I love them a lot, especially from a respectful distance….Stunning pictures. You are truly gifted with words and pictures!
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Thank you, Read on. True confession: I don’t take the pictures, though I wish I did. I get them from a website called Dollar Photo Club. I’m afraid I’m strictly a word person unlike my many blog friends who excel at both.
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Great vignettes and beautiful memories thank you for sharing.
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You’re welcome, QP. Since I posted this piece, comments from readers and my memory have reminded me of other encounters I could have included. Maybe I’ll have to write a followup.
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I always learn something when I read your posts, Janet. Beluga, meaning white whale, what a treat. The flamingoes are so dramatic against the blues. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful journey with us. 🙂
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When I wrote this piece, Barbara, it made me reflect on the good life I’ve led that has allowed me to travel and see such sights. It has been a wonderful journey.
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How fortunate we readers are that you write so beautifully, and share your journey. I’ll never hike in the many National Wilderness Areas but as an armchair traveler I love knowing they exist. In a similar way you express so wonderfully your awe and appreciation of these nature moments that I feel I’m there with you. Thank you Janet
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Thank you, Mary, for wanting to share the moments with me, much like I want to experience the yard you created with knowledge and skill and a sense of wonder.
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It sounds as if you deserve every moment! ❤
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What a lovely thing to say. Thank you, Barbara.
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Delightful post, Janet. I love experiencing nature and all the creatures that live there, and this post was almost as good as being there myself. Thanks for sharing.
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I find that the folks I tend to like share a love of creatures with me whether the tiniest bird or magnificent beasts. So I’m not surprised you love experiencing nature and its creatures — though I first realized that when I read your post about the menagerie of pets you’d and your wife enjoy and care for.
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Oh what special memories! Thanks for sharing them. I too remember the critters I have come across in my travels and at home…
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Critters do have a way of capturing our attention and imagination, and, as you say, many of them we can see where we live if we pay attention.
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The beauty of the animal kingdom and the gift of being able to experience it! Lovely post Janet.
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Thanks, Janice. Any news on the court case?
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A terrific essay, Janet. I love the way you describe the bighorn sheep in the Utah desert — “We broke eye contact first.” They are grand animals..
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I’m so glad you find bighorn sheep as grand as I do. Our encounter with them was one of my life’s highlights. I appreciate your comment.
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You certainly have seen some amazing things to behold. We really do live in an amazing world.
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It is, indeed a wonderful world when we take the time to look at it.
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Many of my most memorable moments have come when in the presence of wild animals. And again, Janet, you’ve managed to put into words what I’m feeling during those moments. Thank you!
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I felt sure you would relate to this post, Rita. But you’d have photographs to share!
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