Young Heron: Grace Glides In
Today the local Heron showed up on my walk.
Herons are wading birds. They inhabit water, earth and sky. Herons fish while standing in water, like flamingoes. They are strikingly beautiful, with elegant figures with long thin legs, piercing eyes often in orange yellow. This one looks slate grey and is known the Blue or sometimes the Green heron. (The white colored one is the Great Heron.)
For about 15 years I’ve visited with a family lineage of herons. They live about 10 years in the wild. I first noticed a young adult female on my walks. She showed up in my forest stream walks, gliding by or perched like a ballerina on a rock in the middle of the stream. Over time she invited me to immerse in her magical being. I gradually became aware over the years just how personal these encounters have been. These were connections, not random events. I know because my body always turns me towards the event before it happens.
One summer, I spotted an adult male heron in the flowers by the banks of the water. I took gorgeous photos of him, one that I keep meaning to share. More mystical encounters, like the time, she flew up from the water into the tree branches. Years of this connection and communication have truly enriched my life.
Right before COVID lockdown, John and I spotted heron flying overhead carrying sticks to build a nest. We were in our car, far from the streams, closer to the Great Swamp. A few months later we saw a male and female flying together. Once I spotted them and they landed in the trees. Months later, in the same year, I spotted a young juvenile walking the banks, fishing in her new territory.
Today my Heron, the yearling, showed up on my walk. I just felt her coming, gracefully flying in for a visit.
Here are some photos. She’s growing up.
After she sat for these photos, I walked to my favorite spot and crafted this message. You know that warm feeling in your heart, the feeling of bliss? That’s what I was experiencing.
As I took a break and looked up … she flew right by again.
#knowing #featheredfriends #featheredteachers #heron #musictomyears #theappleofmyeye #magicalencounters #silentteacher #grace #bliss #exquisiteencounters #letlooseyourvoice
