A Year by the River
May 2025
As I look back at these images, I am reminded of my visit to the Bronx River in early May. I got to spend time observing this beautiful Green Heron, who wasn't very shy, standing at the swampy edge of the river. He was pretty close to the path I was walking along and you could tell by the look in its eye that it was concentrating on finding something to eat.
Like other herons, Green Herons are patient and precise hunters. If you never watched a heron hunt for food, let me paint an image for you in your mind.... Imagine a heron standing still for long minutes on end, patiently waiting for the perfect time to strike; quietly listening to not only the noises around them, but their intuition; and sensing the vibration of its prey's energy approaching; then... BAM! Their long beak sinks into the water to capture their meal. It is sometimes a long but exciting process to watch, offering a reminder that most times, patience pays off and wisdom grows when we take time to listen and learn.
As I was editing May's photos, I noticed that a few of them depicted Reflections. Take a look by clicking the blue circle with the arrow in the middle..
In parallel to what was going on in my life at that time, this is fitting since during May 2025, I was going through a series of reflections of my own. My daughter Sam was going to be graduating from college and moving back home. I found myself spending a lot of time reflecting on what I, myself, learned over the four years while Sam was at school. This was all emotional work, which is never light and easy, but it is rewarding, just like that cray fish pictured above in the Green Heron's beak.
I think the quote of John Muir "In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks" is a fitting one for the month of May. Do you hear the supportive messages that nature whispers? How does it inspire you to self reflect? I would honestly, love to know!
