I don’t need any more photographs
of white birds.
– Overheard conversation
As I pass two unknown-to-me photographers on the nature preserve’s trail, I laugh ruefully to myself. I, too, have folders of photos of white and mostly white birds: great egrets, snowy egrets, cattle egrets, pelicans, storks, black-necked stilts. I have photos of white birds fishing and white birds catching. I have photos of white birds in trees and white birds on nests in trees. I have photos of white birds in the water, in the air, and in that exquisite moment when they’re in both. I have photos of white birds in reflections. By any reasonable standard, I can’t possibly need any more photographs of white birds.
If that’s true, then it follows as the night the day that I must have enough: ipso facto and QED. By the same token, I must have knit enough socks, sweaters, blankets, and scarves for family and friends. Hosted enough dinners. Listened enough to someone’s problems. Explored enough new subjects just for fun. Talked to enough strangers in the grocery store.
But here’s the thing: In some things, there is no enough. As with all the things we do for love–love of a subject, love of a process, love of both–the visible output is not the point. The love is the point. It does my heart good to see white birds (indeed, to see most birds, to be honest), to appreciate them, and to share them. Getting the picture is just the easiest mechanism. Having the picture is just the reminder.
I don’t need any more photographs
of white birds.
The only reason to stop taking photographs of white birds would be because I’d stopped loving it. It was never about needing the photograph.
I hope I can reflect to you some of the joy, love, delight, awe, and renewal that your sharing of your love for that beauty brings. First, there is the call to be still, to notice and observe. Then, like the ripples in the quiet surface of the water with each step of the long-legged bird, the energy flows, altering the course of an interaction or a series of events half a world away. Such a blessed antidote to the violations of sense and sensitivity in these troubled times. We cannot get enough of that.
Laurna – Thank you. That’s a pretty nice reflection. 🙂
Isabel – in the intro. “– Overhead conversation” Either that’s a typo or God talking.
Does God talk to photographers trying to get more pictures of big white birds?? Hmmmmm?
John – Got it, thanks!
Interesting reflection, Isabel.
Tom
Thanks, Tom.
Oh so true!!!
(Guilty as charged)
Jim R – Ah, but no guilt, right? 🙂
“Egrets, I’ve had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do
And saw it through a pond reflection.”
Etc. etc. (apologies to Paul Anka)
Amazing photos in both pasts, Isabel! Thank you for sharing them.
Ha!
Good one.
Ian – I second Barbara’s comment. Thanks!