You know it's true in your life. I am living witness of the fact.You can try to be as graceful as you can, but something comes a long, a puff of wind, an unexpected thig-a-ma-jig right there where you wanted to land.
Whatever it is, it messes up your plans. You weren't expecting to have to make mid air maneuvers this close to the ground. You have no air speed left.
Flap your wings. Trim your feathers. Lean into the wind. Do what ever you have to so that you don't land belly first. Grace? We're talking about just salvaging the landing. You know: "Any landing you walk away from is a good landing."
This fellow at Audubon Park in New Orleans can tell you all about it. Even an Great Egret has a bad air day every once in a while. Hey it's life, you learn to live with it. Just remember all the good landings you had. That's the real you. Grace.
This ain't you.
--steve buser
Birds are like that. Once they commit to landing it is hard to change without wrecking something.
ReplyDeleteWe have the same thing happening up here in Oregon witbh Canadian Geese. Quite a sight! Can't wait to get back to Audubon this October.
ReplyDeleteIf I could look that graceful in a sudden and unexpected change of plans, I would be grateful.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is looking nice!
ReplyDeleteLove the story to go with this photo. Very funny!
And still, as another said, there's such a flowing grace to the "oops" - beautiful. :)
ReplyDeleteA really powerful image. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteA stunning image with your usual insightful prose. Everyone should bookmark this blog!
ReplyDeleteSteve,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great shot. Loved the blow by blow of the landing as well.
Well, this particular bird's gust of wind, or whatever it was, is our gain. A totally stunning photograph and a funny and wise commentary, as always. Great, just great.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this great photo and your lively text with it. It is always a treat to visit your blog and feast my eyes on your fine photography! (It also makes me "homesick" for the French Quarter apartment on Chartres that I had for many years.) How is the Botanical Garden at City Park these days?
ReplyDeleteJon at Mississippi Garden in Vicksburg, MS on 7-30-08
What a changes!!! We haven't been here for a long tine (no time unfotunately)...Very nice...very nice
ReplyDeleteI think it looks like a bride in a flowing wedding gown.
ReplyDeleteThis is something else!! I agree with boise . .Oh, that I should be that graceful when I trip. ;-)
ReplyDeleteSorry to cut-and-paste this, but I wanted to let you know I visited today. Being away from home while at school for 10 days has put me way behind here, and trying to catch up here has put me way behind on what is already coming due for school, and it's a vicious circle some days. :-)
Brilliant photo, brilliant text...I'm still smiling at the inconcongruity of its position. Nice to know even birds get it wrong sometimes..
ReplyDeleteWhat a great shot! I have so enjoyed your pictures. I thought I'd leave a comment to tell you so. My husband went to LSUHSC Shreveport and we were fortunate to visit New Orleans many times. We still talk about moving there for private practice, especially when I show him some of your blog pictures.
ReplyDeleteGreat and kooky title! lol!
ReplyDeleteLoved the photo and commentary! ha.
ReplyDelete