Courage is the price that Life exacts for granting peace.
The soul that knows it not, knows no release
From little things:
Knows not the livid loneliness of fear,
Nor mountain heights where bitter joy can hear
The sound of wings.
~ Amelia Earhart
Lately, it seems that the universe is throwing birds in flight my way. I see them everywhere, in woods and fields and ponds and along the shoreline, launching themselves skyward in acts of faith and certainty, knowing that their wings will take them where they intend to go.
I am not a superstitious sort, but neither do I believe in accidents. This has been a stressful and difficult year; more than once I have wanted to find some quiet place to curl up exhausted. And yet – they are everywhere I look, birds in flight, taking wing, riding the winds and mastering the air currents. They soar.
And it seems to me that it is no accident, and that their flight is like a sort of prayer being offered up for me and to me.
And I am grateful for it.
I love the first one (stunning) and the last one is great because of the contrast between the white bird and the gray sky. Anyway, fantastic shots and beautiful written word (both your own and the Amelia Earhart quote).
I absolutely love this post, fabulous pictures, because I love egrets, I love the Earhart quote, and I love that you take solace in winged creatures as some sort of message. Very poetic!
Terrific captures — really like that last one. I find that CDP is an amazingly helpful outlet for stress. With the weather being so nice, I’ve been spending time taking photos immediately after work. Within a few minutes of stalking a bird or strolling on the beach…*poof*…the stress disappears. I hope your struggles take flight soon.
Gorgeous post!
Michele DeLuca
Beautiful – all of it. I need that quiet place too and must take time to find it. SRQ’s comment and your post have made me realize that I have not been out with my camera for several weeks now, so have missed the “poof”. Thank you for the jolt, ladies, and thank you Ali for the hopeful thoughts and shots.