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July 07, 2009
Birdbath
I am sitting here in relative darkness, even though it is almost 9 in the morning, thinking that this is surely a sign of rain. Although the air did not smell like rain when I briefly stepped outside, I did hear the distant rumbling of thunder. This could be another one of those teasers, while portions of the city are getting a well-deserved downpour... but for our area, right at this moment – darkness.... and a most severe drought.
Yesterday afternoon, I walked over to my kitchen sink to wash my hands, and briefly looked out of my large window to the backyard dessert, which has not only suffered from a critical loss of rain, but the constant trampling of 4 medium/large dogs. As I pondered about this, I was taken back to see before me, sitting on the just-filled birdbath, a very large bird – a hawk to be exact! I was in absolute awe, unable to move from my position as I watched his every move.
After some curious and cautious behavior, he was obviously thirsty, and began to drink, but then he started to flip the water up while ruffling his large plumage. It finally occurred to me that he was making motions like he was taking a bath. A few moments later, to my wondrous surprise, he stepped into the birdbath, filling most of its’ space, and completely immersing his regal body, fluffing stripped tail feathers and beautifully marked wings into a ritual dance.
This is when I remembered my new Nikon D40, sitting in its’ new bag... just waiting for this kind of moment. I quickly, but carefully stepped away, praying to the camera gods to keep my subject busy long enough for me to capture – or at least attempt to capture his amazing spirit, quenching itself with precious water.
These photos were taken in haste and without enough knowledge to know that the camera was set on “normal”... not “fine”, and yet, they still give an idea of just how magnificent this creature is.
And, like all happy endings, we are also blessed with the falling of a gentle rain on our piece of parched earth... for now, anyway.
Posted by kay at July 7, 2009 05:01 PM