Northern Mockingbird, March 20, 2024. Happiness day.
I notice I walk by certain birds.I rarely pause to observe or photograph Northern Mockingbirds. Not today. Like a crow's caw cutting through my thoughts, this one sang many different melodies. I stopped as if invited to a personal concert. The songs were for another - probably a female nearby.
From another view, they were also for me, just like any person we pass or flower we see is for our delight in this gift of the day we wake to.
Why pick up litter? To support this incredible habitat we share with all residents, including those who preceded us - birds, trees, butterflies, and all wildlife. This Sabal Palm and Night-Blooming Cereus is located in the area we worked today. In May, we will look again for its blooms
Thank you to the many neighbors from various villages for picking up litter at the 34th Street entrance. Thank you, Marc for taking photos.
This is Maureen Matson. She is a Wildewood Springs litter pick-up champion!
One hour, many hands - we will do this again!
Vicki texted. "Watching a Merlin devour its prey..." Immediately I responded, "Here in Wildewood?"
We shared a bird walk the next day, and she showed me where she spotted it off of Wildewood Drive near the pool across from the pickleball courts. In a magical-feeling gift - Merlin was on the same branch!
At one point, it fanned its feathers.
There were two squirrels a short distance away. Or it could be it saw a nearby Mourning Dove.
In December, I photographed an American Kestrel (in Cortez, FL), another smaller falcon. They are slender and more pale than Merlins. Kestrels have a strong facial pattern with two "mustache-like" stripes that Merlins lack.
A new year begins. May it be rich and meaningful!
As you might know about personal loss, the two months since Terry died have been full of grief with a particular loneliness and longing to talk to him about this remarkable dying experience. John O'Donohue knew of this when he said, "Lonesome for all the conversations we never had," and more. Conversations spontaneously arise in my mind as I wonder what Terry would think.
When a wave of grief arose, I'd step outside and start walking. To be with the birds and trees. With nature.
Poet Rainer Marie Rilke's recommendation for when things get turbulent and troublesome: stay close to nature. I have. So here are some things I noticed and photographed.
I'll begin with the lucky sighting of a Barred Owl two days ago, around 4 PM, across the pond from the butterfly garden in Pineneedle near my place. I've heard it multiple times very early (3 - 5 AM), and then yesterday, I heard caterwauling, so it looks like a pair might nest nearby.
Cormorants on the big pond. Many of them!
Wood Storks resting. Edge of big pond.
A pair of Limpkins, north Wildewood. A Limpkin hanging out with juvenile Wood Storks, big pond.
The photo above is of a Juvenile Wood Stork and a personal awakening. Here’s what happened. A flock flew in – adults, juveniles. They huddled, but this young one immediately hop-stepped to the pond. Just before I took this picture, its parent charged and squawked with big-deal heightened energy. Juvenile cowered in fear, yet stayed. Ten or so seconds later, that scuffle disappeared, and I took this photo.
Just like that. Calm, open. Being itself.
This young bird would remind me, again and again, to face, feel, and remember my basic nature as Terry* (and I) similarly and differently began the Bardo between our life together to the next. To rebirth - something already familiar in one breath to the next, moment to moment, yesterday to today.
In our shared life, Terry was a notice-er. I remembered a work trip to Italy, when we wandered the streets of many cities. I watched him pause and study flaking paint on cathedral doors and decaying and crumbling walls. Unlike others like me rushing off to take photos of iconic artworks such as Michelangelo’s David, The Leaning Tower of Pisa, or Florence’s Duomo Santa Maria, his eyes were drawn to the layers and dissolution. When he showed me the photographs, I realized the importance of slowing down. Teachers say speediness affects presence.
All of Terry's photos are here.
This might be too personal. It’s significant. Five days before the energy I knew as Terry continued, he surprised me late in the night. He woke from a sleep state and crawled partway into our bed. (His hospital bed was next to our bed.) The crown of our heads touched in the dark. I felt an exchange of energy as if I was dying, too, within a context of love. I experienced timelessness –an ineffable peace. A blessing for us?
I believe Terry is okay.
I’m okay, too.
Juvenile's practice is mine, and that late-night experience gives me confidence and devotion. Though mourning arises as it will, I'm waking up anew in response to it. Practice, being with wise teachers, trips to the planetarium to see a James Webb cosmos perspective crystalize the Four Thoughts. Pema Chodron’s book title and phrase, no time to lose, rings a bell for study and practice.
Sitting like bird fosters peace.
Onward…
* Terry (my beautiful husband) died peacefully October 29, 2023.
Woke early to the Belted Kingfisher trill. Two of them calling, back and forth in that melodious strive. I stood under a tree canopy in the rain to watch. Then later, Oliver's Invitation. "To be alive on this fresh morning in this broken world." It means everything.
Oh do you have time
to linger
for just a little while
out of your busy
and very important day
for the goldfinches
that have gathered
in a field of thistles
for a musical battle,
to see who can sing
the highest note,
or the lowest,
or the most expressive of mirth,
or the most tender?
Their strong, blunt beaks
drink the air
as they strive
melodiously
not for your sake
and not for mine
and not for the sake of winning
but for sheer delight and gratitude –
believe us, they say,
it is a serious thing
just to be alive
on this fresh morning
in the broken world.
I beg of you,
do not walk by
without pausing
to attend to this
rather ridiculous performance.
It could mean something.
It could mean everything.
It could be what Rilke meant, when he wrote:
You must change your life.
Hurricane Idalia, effects. August 30, 2023
Hurricane Idalia swept the Gulf Coast, its strongest winds offshore. Light debris covers many roads in Wildewood. This will be an easy clean-up for our area. For those north of us, there is a lot of damage.
Look for more photos on the Wildewood Wonders Facebook page.
I lived for 20-some years on LBK. A no-name storm on the same track as Idaila brought flood waters up into the yard and far too close to our home. Then I lived two years on the tip of Anna Maria Island. Twice, about a foot of water came into our home. I'd lift furniture up on cedar blocks. I no longer live on the island!
Good news! I did a litter clean-up along 34th Street. I noticed the handrail adjacent to the Lakeview property was repaired (from Hurricane Ian, a suspected tornado that also took the roof off a Lakeview building)!
White Ibis, July 24, 2023
Dissolution. That's how it is from this to that.
I wonder if, like me, you are looking for ways to be helpful in your community. So, I'm learning more about recycling.
These signs are installed in the waste disposal areas (WW2A).
When I peeked into the recycle bins today, I mostly saw only items that can be recycled. Most of us are reading the sign! Here's a quick review.
Only recycle these items. All need to be CLEAN AND DRY.
Paper - only junk mail, magazines, newspapers
Cardboard - only aluminum cans or tin cans
Metal - only aluminum cans or tin cans
Plastic - only plastic jugs and bottles (#1 & #2)
Glass - only glass bottles and jars
I also again carefully looked at the sign to read what NOT to recycle.
This information helped me and might be useful for you.
1. Video, Chasing Arrows, on YouTube
This 11-minute video shows how much plastic waste is "wish-cycling" and helps clarify what and how to recycle. I've looked into this and found that only plastics #1 & #2 have recycling value. There's no marketplace for #3 - #7, so most of this plastic waste is still sent to the landfill to be buried.
The "chasing arrow"* is an unregulated symbol anyone can use. More info here.
2. Website, AMBR (Alliance of Mission-Based Recyclers)
AMBR is a nonprofit group working toward making recycling viable and verifiable. Here is one article about false solutions in plastic recycling.
3. Podcast, Living on Earth, weekly on Fridays.
The 7.14.23 episode focuses on recycling.
Preventative things I'm doing.
1. Considering packaging materials when I shop.
2. Bringing my own bags: reducing my use of plastic bags.
3. Choosing eggs and drinks in paper containers. (Vital Eggs, for example. Eliminating styrofoam, plastic cups for events, such as SOLO.)
4. Using a refillable water bottle.
5. Sharing what I learn - hello neighbors and friends ; - )
*What does the chasing arrow symbol look like?
(July 2023)
There are many posts of Blue Herons here in Wildewood. This is a favorite. Such a beautiful bird standing in a backdrop of color and texture. My photographer husband reminds me how it is light and timing that brings such gorgeousness.
Behind the Pinehurst Pond, WWI.
These photos of the Blue Heron nest are pretty awesome, too.
I woke early and sat outside on the screened porch. I'm at the end of a summer cold, and the heat and humidity were comforting. Perspectives change! Before the cold, being outdoors felt too hot, miserably hot.
I noticed how still and quiet it was at first, though in reflection, that feeling was there because I had not yet settled into being, noticing my breath and sitting with life as it was. Because a few minutes later, I noticed a stirring in the orange Ixoria. Two Carolina Wrens flitted about! Maybe they'll build a nest.
I closed my eyes and heard: Pileated and Red-bellied woodpeckers, Fish Crows, Northern Mockingbird, Northern Cardinal and Grey Gnatcatcher chirps. A Tri-Colored Heron flew in. Noisily. With a guttural, nasal call. It sounds like this.
When I opened my eyes, I looked across the pond to the Southern Live Oak. A Wood Duck hen was leading 5 chicks to the pond. I saw the hen and 5 chicks again today, Monday.