In the photo below, what do you see? Is it a giant Heron next to a tiny house? It’s actually a full-sized playhouse with a normal sized Great Blue Heron standing next to it, but the Heron is in front of the house on a hill, and the camera angle skews sizing. In this way, Trump continues to distort what we know and see. He’s the one in power. He’s the one who shows tampering in the election process and yes China and Russia may be involved with their bots, but they are on the side of Trump, not the side of “we the people”. Who benefits from Trump’s policies? The super rich, and their money and news sources support Trump. Vote his cronies out!
Great Blue Heron stands proudly next to a full-sized house!
My teacher of Sensory Awareness would say “A moment is a moment.” This morning I woke up to those words. There’s something about going through old photos that makes that so clear. All those moments.
I spent time yesterday in the garden after seeing photos of each reincarnation. It’s filled in beautifully, a gift.
I came across this photo from a neighbor’s garden, a paradise of flowers and birds. May we each have access to the garden within and this garden we share, and may we cultivate what matters to us now, and now, and now.
ConnectingFour years ago, this sign was up at Abbott’s Lagoon to warn of protecting the otter pups. I saw the mother and pups swimming at the time, and this photo affirms what I saw on Tuesday across the lagoon on the dunes was a bunch, a romp, a family. Four years agoMother and babies – July 19, 2022Mother and two babies swimming back to their nest.
Recognizing I was going to need to delete some photos or pay more for storage, I settled into what I expected to be a small task, perhaps an hour or so, but then I began. I had around 36,000 photos, starting in 2006. I started slowly, and then began to build. I’ve now deleted 6,541 photos and 50 videos. I see that I probably have more photos of Great Blue Herons, Egrets, and Rodeo Beach than anyone on the planet. My grandson is also a well-photographed treasure trove. In February, 2023, I resided on a houseboat in Sausalito. That’s where I really got into taking photos. It was a small boat and at low tide, the egrets and herons could walk around it, so I would walk around the outside of the boat following them and taking pictures. Mt. Tam was also a favorite. On February 24th it snowed on Mt. Tam, a rare event, and naturally I have photosto re-visit.
Mt. Tam drifted with snow February 24, 2023.And then more snow with fog rising up in greeting.The radar tower to the leftAnd now to the rightA beautiful mountain as seen from the houseboat, AKA a floating house.
I was thrilled when I saw a Great Blue Heron at Abbott’s Lagoon. Then I saw the Great White Egret next to it. I approached closer and closer, and still they were quietly enjoying the view, and then, at times, busy grooming. Even birds, get ready for the day. They weren’t bothered as I circled round them, entranced with their ability to cleanse, appreciate, and savor what we all share, the gift of life!
What a Day!Sharing the View!Time to GroomAnd stand in Awe!Maybe a little more – a bend of the head – Spaced just rightA little closer to make clear what we share.
Yesterday I drove out to Abbott’s Lagoon in Point Reyes. It was early, sunny, and warm. I was alone. I’ll show pictures of my walk, and then, in the next post zero in on more photos of a Great Blue Heron and Great White Egret grooming with a view. I also saw across the lagoon what I knew must be otters since they hang out there, and slide down the dunes, and also groom. This was a huge lump that stayed still, and was gone when I returned. I came home and zoomed in on the lump. Otters huddle together in what’s called a “romp”. For sure, two otters, but I think there’s also two babies. It’s that time of year. Quite a day. I’ll try to give a taste with photos.
ArrivalWalking down the curving and narrow pathA Romp of Otters resting and warming on the dunesHearing the Ocean beyond the lagoonEgret and Heron together with the view CompanionshipA crow viewing the ocean as I approach.FlightA tapestry of color – so many blues and greens!Coming back, I see a Great Blue Heron who is usually in this spot.Regal and patient, he or she waits to catch and chomp a fish.And there’s the bend in the Trigger Neck!
When we see others as the enemy, we risk becoming what we hate. When we oppress others, we end up oppressing ourselves. All of our humanity is dependent upon recognizing the humanity in others.
Family – CommunityTransitionA Great Blue Heron at Rodeo Beach yesterdayAnd the tide splashes in!Barnacles grow on a shell – A shell painting as barnacles share a space.
Yesterday we went to breakfast at the Bayside Cafe in Sausalito. The tide was out and the egrets were too far out in the bay to photograph, but then after 45 minutes or so, a total change.
Low TideThe tide comes in Wet feet for Golden Slippers
Passing ThroughA Gentle SqueezeTwo Altars – one natural and one human-made.A young gull surveys the domainRocks rocked with wavesSnowy Egret contemplates the scene!And flies to a higher spotThis area is usually underwaterAnd the swells come in as the tide returns.
Aware of my friend as she was in surgery, my eye was caught by the front of a beautiful book standing upright on my bookshelf. The words“Each time you judge yourself you break your own heart,” jumped out at me. The book,Meditation Art, Openings to Awareness, was created by my friend Etta B. Ehrlich. For years, we were in Sensory Awareness workshops together. Older than I, she passed away a few years ago. In the book, she pastes words of wisdom on interesting bottles, and Virginia Brown photographs them. The book, a treasure, is no longer available, but I found some photos from a gallery in which the bottles were displayed.
She quotes our teacher Charlotte Selver in the book. Here’s one quote.
“Pay attention to the breath as it is now. As your breathing is, so you are. Since breathing happens by itself, it teaches us to trust what is needed now and to allow it.This can be the foundation for a whole new perception of ourselves in all our functions. I agree that it is difficult to be so peaceful and undemanding that one would really be present in one’s breathing activity without influencing it.”
As I wait for news on my friend, I sit with intention to “notice precisely where inhalations and exhalations begin and end”.
Give kindness to ourselves!Each of us a teardrop!This brings me a smile!Great advice!Absolutely!
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