Photo by Frank Busch on Unsplash
I drive by an active limestone quarry on my way home. It’s common to see 20 plus vultures sailing on the updrafts from the stone pits. I figure it’s the one beauty in a vulture’s life: to be sailing in the sunshine on the updrafts. Ken says we might want to be worried about the mortality of the quarry workers below. I’m sure he’s kidding.
One morning there were no vultures drafting. This was unusual but I noticed that there was a bald eagle at the top of a dead tree at the edge of the quarry pit. This huge and beautiful bird was so close to me that I was awestruck.
I stopped in the middle of the road (not uncommon out here) and fumbled for my phone.
Bald eagle peered down at me as I aimed the camera for an incredible shot. That is, I did have an incredible shot until a car going the other way zoomed by me and honked. Swearing ensued and no incredible picture was taken.
With an intense last stare, the bald eagle unfolded its amazing wings and launched onto the quarry updrafts.
I found out later that our country’s symbol of freedom and nobleness is a known bully, coward and thief! Even Ben Franklin said the bald eagle was a bird of “bad moral character.” Bald eagles love stealing prey from other birds usually by harassment.
I could draw some analogies here to our political system but do that on your own if you’d like.
One thing I’m constantly reminded of is that everything has its purpose, its function, its connection. It’s possible to see beauty and majesty everywhere and in everything, in everyone if we just look with wide open non-judgmental eyes.
Drop me a line below and send me a comment. Let me hear about your adventures in nature! You know I love to hear from you.
