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 female Eastern Grey Squirrel. Notice her teats - nesting in a Laurel Oak.
Mourning Dove taking a bath in a puddle.
A pair of Limpkins, north Wildewood. A Limpkin hanging out with juvenile Wood Storks, big pond.
Red-bellied Woodpecker. See the red belly?
Tri-colored Heron, north Wildewood pond near Pickle Ball courts.
Bluejay and Northern Cardinal
