Monday, March 18, 2013

Courtship and a Random Act of Kindness

The brain fog lifted on Saturday, thank God. Being with Double D out in the sunshine and watching the birds was the perfect prescription. The courtship of nesting egrets was really something special. The males brought twig after twig to their mates and together they laid each stick carefully into the nest. You could see the females reacting positively and excitedly to each twig, whether big or small. With each offering she seemed to say, "Oh, that's a good one! Let's make the best nest for our family!" Ah, such love and devotion. Only an uncaring person or someone totally oblivious could not come away feeling the love.

One more thing before I start with the photos. Entering Avery Island there is a toll bridge that must be crossed first. We handed our dollar to the toll taker and he waved it away saying the car ahead of us had already paid our toll and also the car behind us. Random Act of Kindness! I know it was just a dollar, but that one simple act filled me with such joy that I couldn't wait to pay it forward. It was in the back of my mind all day and certainly started the visit to the island off on just the right foot. Later that night we dined at a local restaurant and left the waitress a substantial tip with a note to lift her spirits. I am going to do that more often!








35 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a way to start the day...exquisite!! Those random acts of kindness can really change someone's spirits....not that I've ever had it happen to me, but I am sure it would make me giddy. I'll have to think of that next time I go through a toll booth!

Dzjiedzjee said...

Very nice series! I really love it!

Greetings from The Netherlands,
DzjieDzjee

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Love these! You capture photos at the most perfect moments :)

Ruth Hiebert said...

Looks and sounds like you had a great day. I love the idea of random acts of kindness.Watching these birds has to bring a smile to anyone who is breathing.Love it.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I love seeing their flapping wings.

Gone Country said...

Great shots!

Love the random act of kindness story! Leaves a warm & fuzzy feeling all over.

Anonymous said...

what a wonderful post about pay if forward and absolutely stunning photography! Wow! ~ enjoy ^_^

TexWisGirl said...

love this! they are beautiful in their breeding plumage and in their courtship. :)

as for the random act of kindness, that was truly special! what a great thing to do!!!

Nancy said...

It's amazing how a random act of kindness can change one's day..It certainly sounds like the perfect way to have started your day...

Gail, I don't have words to express the feelings I have when I look at these photographs...awesome beautiful all seem inadequate....

Thank you for sharing these captures. I probably would never have seen this process otherwise....

Anonymous said...

What beautiful & oh so white birds, seriously, they're sooo white... I want to capture that bright, blinding white for everything in my house! i have a lot of white all over my place. =)

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

These pictures are absolutely fantastic! Oh my goodness! What a day you must have had. The third and sixth photos, showing Papa landing with his prize twig, are both exquisite. The one where the two are working to lay the twig just so in the nest is so sweet. And the last one, of the flight over the water, is perfect.

Karen said...

What a handsome fellow, I would react positively too! A marvellous series of captures Gail!

Lisa Gordon said...

What a great day!
It's amazing what such a seemingly simple gesture can do.

Anonymous said...

You've caught some great interactions with the birds here. Love all the action the sticks and flapping wings. Our great egrets are already having babies so yours should be coming soon.

hootnonny said...

These images are next best thing to being there in person! Sweet story of how the smallest jesture can bring joy.

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Gail, I make it a point to never return home until I've paid someone a compliment, talked to a manager about an outstanding employee, bought a cup of coffee for someone who looks like they could use one, etc. It's amazing how those little kindnesses lift us all above the ordinary and there are some days, I'm the one most in need of the lift. We're surround by God's blessings and to pass them along makes us worthy of being called Christians.

renae said...

Awh fun! Their necks make perfect hearts. Oh. I love it. Thanks for thinking LL's party was cute/fun or just thank you, Gail. I love seeing your posts and your comments. THANK YOU!!!

Stephanie said...

Such amazing photos, Gail! They are stunning! And how wonderful for someone to pay your toll - what a blessing :)

Have a happy Monday!

Hugs,
Stephanie

Brian King said...

These are gorgeous, Gail! I love that last flight photo! I wish we had nesting sites around here.

Jori said...

Beautiful,beautiful birds!! So happy you were on the receiving end of a RAK. We need more of that in this world!!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Each one of your pictures is an act of kindness when you share them. They are just amazing! I love the courtship ritual.

I do know what you mean about something simple like the toll bridge making you feel wonderful. And I am sure the waitress was thrilled with your pay-it-forward!

EG CameraGirl said...

Fantastic shots of the egret preparing their nest!

I like the idea of Random Acts of Kindness. It's wonderful when you are the recipient and even nicer when you initiate the act.

Kathy said...

This is my dream - to see egrets nesting. We supposedly have a nesting ground not more than a half mile from our house just across the bayou. A neighbor is planning on taking me but as of yesterday the one nest was empty. He'll keep an eye out and hope we won't get arrested for trespassing because there are new residents on the land, although he assures me he has permission from the owner to go on the property.

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh Gail these posts with your beautiful photos are like a random act of kindness to me everyday, they make me smile. Thank you. B

Evelyn S. said...

I LOVE RAKs....and the Pay It Forward might be the best kind! As for the egrets, what a beautiful photo documentary, Gail. I am amazed at how white their feathers are, too. Beautiful contrast with the black legs.

Chatty Crone said...

A picture that was Heavenly. sandie

Unknown said...

Can you see me smiling. Cause I am loving these shots my friend. It kinda funny how paying it forward probably make you feel just as good as the one receiving it. So nice of you my friend.

Hugs~

Regina said...

Beautiful creatures!


Cindy said...

Wonderful photos!!!!! Absolutely beautiful shots.

Anonymous said...

Oh, those egrets are just so stunning. And what a wonderful story of their love.

And I love random acts of kindness - we should all do them more often.

Georgianna said...

My goodness, Gail! These are stunning – honestly I've never seen them in action like this before. Really beautiful creatures and wonderful images!

Anonymous said...

Wow....your images are always so amazing....you have got to have an amazing zoom lens!

Rosie Grey said...

I'm so glad you're feeling better again, Gail!
The photos are so fantastic - I feel I have to work on my adjectives not to be repetitive here all the time ;-)
Have a wonderful week!

Larry said...

Awesome photos of the Great Egrets and their nesting behavior Gail. The last in flight shot is magnificent! I love the pay it forward concept. I was eating lunch at a restaurant the other day and an older man came in all by himself and he looked just miserable. After I finished my meal, I went to the register to pay and asked the waitress if she knew what he had ordered, then paid his bill as well as my own. I wasn't able to see the look on his face but I certainly hope it gave him a smile.

Barbara said...

So sweet!