Graceful. Peaceful. Beautiful. Enchanting. The Water Birds … Egrets … Herons … Ducks … Kingfishers … and others. No matter how many photos I take of them, I can’t help taking more.
They are relentless hunters, walking along in the shallows of bayou waters, searching for sustaining prey hidden beneath the surface. With their long beaks and spindly legs, perfectly formed to survive. The only flaw in some of them is their screechy call when they take to the skies. But we forgive them because they shared their beauty as they moved smoothly through the murky waters.
How many times have I been walking near a waterway only to see a swift flight upward and a loud warning honk? I wish I could walk slower, quieter, and get closer. I suppose if I were one of them, I could. But I’m grateful for the ones who were so attentive to their next meal that my presence was not a threat. If we could communicate with them somehow, we would like to say, “Just stand still for a moment please, would you? My camera hasn’t focused, my hands are a bit shaky, and I’m trying to hurry before you fly away.”
We’re grateful when they give us a moment, and wistful when they escape in fear. And we understand. They’ve had a birds-eye view of what we have done with the place. Probably not to be trusted to get too close.
As I think about it, it is a great privilege to be able to capture such beauty. I’ve no doubt that the Lord regards them as a prized part of the creation. The Hebrews were forbidden from eating them. It is fanciful of me, I guess, to think that we needed them for the peace and awe they bring to our senses when we encounter them.
These are the birds you are to regard as unclean and not eat because they are unclean: the eagle, the vulture, the black vulture, the red kite, any kind of black kite, any kind of raven, the horned owl, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl, the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey, the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe and the bat. - Exodus 11:13-19
Well, the vulture and the bat kind of throw off that thought about beauty. And I had to google what a hoopoe is. But I’ll stick with my initial interpretation. Why not?
I do promise one thing - as long as I can wander close to the water, I will continue photographing the water birds. One more Great Egret will do just fine, even a little Green Heron. I’m grateful for the water birds. In our distracted, hectic, deadline, non-stop lives, who doesn’t stop, breathe in shallow rhythms, and stare as the Blue Heron smoothly probes the rippled surface, emerging with sustenance for the moment? I’m thankful for those moments of wonder and near silence. At least, until I step on a twig and off into the sky the beautiful winged creature flies to safety.
He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains. They give water to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. The birds of the sky nest by the waters; they sing among the branches. He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the land is satisfied by the fruit of his work. He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate— bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts. The trees of the Lord are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. There the birds make their nests; the stork has its home in the junipers. -Psalm 104:10-17
If you enjoyed this post, please hit that heart and feel free to share. Thank you! - JED
What is your favorite water bird?
Excellent! May I make a suggestion? You need to compile all these into a book! It would be fantastic and a best seller! I always look forward to your posts of nature and your posts concerning Jesus and His church!
Great herons!