A chick looks out. Not able to care for its basic needs yet, it waits to be fed.
This is one of the last of the Yellow-Crowned Night Heron chicks. Chick is dependent on the older (wiser) night herons' support to grow into its own independence: the fruition of capabilities like hunting for crabs, flying, noticing dangers, gaining survival and community behaviors, nest building, and doing whatever needs to be done for the next generation of chicks.
There's something else at play here—interdependence.
Interdependence is a magnificent, spectacular network of relationships, of causes and conditions that contribute to life—phenomena such as breathable air, drinkable water, seeds becoming nourishment or trees to hold nests, and collaborating beings.
Chick, you, and I are a gathering of the outcome of those collaborations—of the generosities of others.
Pretty precious.
Happy Independence Day!
