June 19, 2022 This week’s lesson in mindfulness: It’s essential to be in the moment during the long periods of ordinary if you want to see the rare miraculous. Last Wednesday, when dozens of hopeful birdwatchers descended on my yard after I photographed and reported Arizona’s first orange-billed nightingale-thrush, I told people the bird had visited for twenty minutes. Later, I reviewed the images—all 68 of them—and noticed the time stamp: 7:34am on the first photo to 7:37am on the last. Three minutes?! The record bird materialized in the apple tree, skulked through the branches to the chokecherry tree, dropped to the pond to drink and then flew to the fountain’s spout for a second sip of water—all in a few minutes. I could have been in the house getting a second cup of coffee. Or in the yard watering plants or doing yoga or changing the settings on my camera. I could have been on my phone!
I love absolutely everything about this. Yes yes yes. Completely agree with hear three rules! I love to link to this in my next essay. Can people see it if I link to it or is everything behind the paywall?
I love absolutely everything about this. Yes yes yes. Completely agree with hear three rules! I love to link to this in my next essay. Can people see it if I link to it or is everything behind the paywall?