Slow down, you often move too fast

Each walk another opportunity

I will never thank my brother sufficiently for introducing me to photography when I turned sixty. People had tried educating me about various aspects for years but I stubbornly ignored anything requiring too much more structured training to get any decent photographs. I guess he figured I would have time before too many more years so he would whet my appetite, as they say.

The pandemic certainly helped me expand my interest. As early as the third week of the pandemic shut down, I began posting what I found colorful Annapolis sunrise photos on Facebook. It shocked me that others found them a respite from their morning routines. Their reactions, however, encouraged me to shoot more photos until I realized how much I truly loved looking at them.

What I did not at all expect was how it started changing my thinking about the world around me. Contrary to what my beloved husband probably thinks, I do go out occasionally without a camera but more often than not I have a photo device in my hot little hands. I no longer use a neck strap but moved to a wrist strap because I can keep the camera closer.

I rely on my cellphone when we are doing our Eastport walkabouts because it goes into a pocket more easily but, all in all, I am ready for any suddenly interesting (to me) idea. I am positive the photos could be better than they are improving over the years. They are colorful which is important to me.

This is all by way of explaining why I am over the moon about a shot I got this morning. We always stay at the same place in Honolulu so I have walked off the property along the same path truly countless times over the past fifteen years since we began our ‘medicinal sunshine’ visits.

I was returning from the Post Office when I noted an egret moving along the rocks which interface between the asphalt and the bushes.

He seemed rather tame, to my surprise. I gradually realized he was moving without any concern to my increasing approximation. He was turned away from me but I got a quick shot.

I drew ever closer but he didn’t shy away which, in turn, encouraged me. I wasn’t worried much because I did have two shotsbut figured if he would let me approach, I would. No one else was walking down this normally busy path which meant less noise to disturb him.

When he turned around next, I realized he wasn’t interested in me because he was determined to have a late morning nosh. He kept moving his beak around what I assumed was a worm and grass.

When I got back to our room, I realized quite how close I was—about two feet. I also see, from examining the third photograph, he was consuming a poor wee frog for that nosh. No wonder he wasn’t all that worried about me but was fearful the nosh would hop away. What an amazing detail on the cycle of life. Wowsa.

Obviously I am easily entertained but I feel rewarded by having learned, so gradually, that patience can reward us. Actions really create unintended but welcome consequences. One last colourdful photo of the week.

What have you learned to slow down for recently? Is it creating consequences you did not envision?

Thank you for the feedback on various columns this week. I have loved to see people weigh in on some pretty heavy topics. I also thank those of you who support this column with a subscription.

Be well and be safe. FIN