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I think Mondays are a mixed bag for most of us. Sometimes I get to the office and start digging into the planning and service of the week ahead. Sometimes it’s been a heavy weekend, and if I don’t get time to reset my thinking, I will not function very well.
If you don't take a Sabbath, something is wrong. You're doing too much, you're being too much in charge. You've got to quit, one day a week, and just watch what God is doing when you're not doing anything. - Eugene H. Peterson
So Monday morning I headed out to Black Bayou National Wildlife Reserve. Even if you’ve only read a few posts here, you know this is my go-to place for serenity, thinking, prayer, and photography. Those things all mix up together while I’m out there. The beauty of the bayou is hard to describe.
The water lilies have covered up most of the open spaces of water. They are beautiful in their own way, but I’m ready for a cold snap to take them out. I love to see the water, and when the water is clear there are more egrets and other creatures in abundance. Of course, there are many creatures in abundance even now. I found many of them out enjoying the cool morning along with me.
While I was standing outside of my car just enjoying the cool morning air, I heard something fly over my head. I was amazed to see this beautiful (scary?) cicada that landed on a leaf nearby. I’m used to finding their shells around, but I don’t know if I’ve ever seen one hanging out in a tree.
Intricate wings and an interesting character there. Thankfully he did not fly out of the tree and land on me, or this post might not have happened!
I did enjoy seeing two small alligators. I looked around for a mama gator but did not see one. One of these was off of the wildlife pier, the other just near the bridge leading into the Black Bayou area.
I don’t know if it is a natural migration pattern or the water lilies crowding the bayou, or what, but I am still not seeing very many egrets. Not like I have seen them in the past. I am thankful to have spotted a few egrets and herons today.
That egret was pretty far away. When I was getting ready to leave I swung around by the boat ramp. Not long ago I got a great closeup of a blue heron there. I’ll just share it again to remind you!
Today when I approached, an egret flew away too quickly for a photo. But I did follow where he landed and there to my amazement was a blue heron. I’m not sure I’ve gotten a picture like this before, a blue heron and a white egret so near one another.
On my way out of the area, I snapped a few dragonflies. I already posted one of those above. Have you read the story of the dragonfly … the one that helps us understand what happens when we die? You can read it HERE (and a hundred other places on the internet).
“Danced and buzzed in the golden autumn light… the air was full of… glinting dragonflies shot …with gauzy wings and gleaming bodies.” ― Arthur Conan Doyle
Thanks for spending a few minutes with me as I reflect on a quiet and peaceful morning, one that I really needed. I’m grateful for the provision of the Black Bayou NWR. I’m looking forward to more cool mornings as the summer leaves us and autumn leaves begin to appear. Maybe like the leaves I saw as I was almost back to my car. I took a picture of them, but the blue sky was too bright. I’ll leave you with that one last photo … one of hope and anticipation of orange, red, yellow, and brown days to come.
Excellent. All of these should be put together in a book. The book would sell. Thanks for this!