Stephen M Shick

The facts were simple to read “Hooded Mergansers are monogamous and mate for life.” Watching these beautiful couples travel together made me wonder if a dimension is missing from that description – is it love? youtu.be/MofZDFR5tzc

Below the high-reaching oak trees that lined the meadow, bluebirds feasted on the red berries of a winged euonymus (fire bush). What a comfort to witness this natural thanksgiving feast while anxieties over political realities are in the air.

I paused briefly, then walked by these Mallards. “They’re so common,” I thought, “no one will be interested in looking at them closely.” A quick glance back, however, changed my mind as I saw more clearly the beauty of these colorful ducks on the green water.

I always thought the great blue heron was more gray-blue than blue-gray. My perspective changed as I watched this heron just as the first rays of morning reached its resting place in a shady marsh.

We were watching a Great Blue Heron feeding in shallow marsh waters when JoAnn spotted this Green Heron walking along the shoreline. At that moment I realized I am all too often distracted by color and flare to see the beauty that blends into the background.

I watched this Common Mime butterfly in an exhibit near Deerfield, Ma. This native of south and south-east Asia reminded me that wherever you go you have the opportunity to be at home and reveal life’s beauty.

Watching this eagle slowly and deliberately prepare for flight called me to confess that too often I get lost in mindless waiting or unnecessary rushing and don’t notice the power each moment has to prepare me for what comes next.

The American Liles had choked out almost all other life in this flooded meadow. With a touch of sadness, I watched this Great Blue Heron descend into their presence.

The pace of a snapping turtle will do it – slow you down, that is. Even though it quickened its steps the closer it got to its destination, this turtle’s whole being was speaking of what I always need to hear – “Slow down.”

Suddenly, this barred owl arrived in a tree near our porch. Its alert stillness drew me into a welcomed quieting moment that settled my mind and opened my heart.

The pelagic tour on a big ship was canceled because of dense fog, but our bird tour guides were undaunted. They quickly hired a small boat to take us out to see the puffins living on a coastal island in Northern Maine.

Every day the earth offers nourishment and beauty. My challenge has always been to lift my head up and notice I am surrounded. To remind herself of this truth, my mother made a beautiful needlepoint of these words from Philippians: “Whatsoever is lovely think on these things.”_

On July 21, 2022, The International Union for Conservation of Nature placed the monarch butterfly on its Red List of endangered species. We all had a part in that -our deforestation, pesticides, and climate change. I let that sadness settle in watching this pollinator at work.

The great transition to autumn begins at the height of summer vacations and is rarely noticed. Looking closely at the edges of this pond’s summer green you can see that the change has started. This same great transition is happening within me, and it too often goes unnoticed.

My view of the world shaped my choice of words for this video. I was uncomfortable with reading “competition” or “survival of the fittest” beliefs into the scene. So, I chose something more to my liking and used the word “shared.” Enjoy your choice.

I took these pictures years ago in Florida and have seen reenactments of them many times in swamps and marshes near my home in Massachusetts. Each time my heart is moved to sadness for the fish, and a certain delight with the patience and skill of the heron. How different we are!

A July walk at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord, Ma., slowed me down. Standing quietly at the edge of the river, I leaned back against a Swamp Maple and became fully engaged with this frog as it enjoyed the flickering sunlight.

One stick at a time An Osprey builds its new nest On old foundations On a visit to the Florida Everglades, I pulled off the side of the road to watch this Osprey carefully land and place a newly pruned tree branch on an old nest. Isn’t that what we do with each mindful action?

Life passes quickly carrying beauty and power for those who take time to rest It appears to me, at age 78, that life passes quickly whether resting or not. But, when resting, it takes on a deeper and more personal meaning Click here to view the video.