Thursday, January 2, 2014

Anomaly

After I photographed this snowy egret, I noticed that one of the toenails on his right foot faced the opposite direction of the other nails. It was the only interesting thing I came away with that day.

This is a popular fishing spot for egrets, but I sat about 15 feet from this one for over an hour and he never caught a thing. Later, I realized that the bed of cypress needles I had been sitting on leaked sap all over my boots and jeans. Fun times! :/






Sometimes with all my faults, I wonder how anyone can love me. I tend to zero-in on a flaw and think that's all others see. Although I cropped the photo down to show you, I do not focus on this bird's deformity; I see only his beautiful white feathers, the sunny yellow splashes of color, and his determination to survive. God says we are fearfully and wonderfully made; maybe I need to focus more on the "wonderfully" part.

33 comments:

Hootin Anni said...

I know for a fact that you're not showing just the deformity. You are a treasure and I feel from your posts that you see beauty in everything you focus on!!!

The egret is gorgeous!!!

Brian King said...

Heron and egret toes remind me of gnarly tree roots. I've never seen one with a nail like this, but it doesn't appear to be having a negative effect. It's nice when you can be that close to them. Well, with the exception of the sap. :-)

EG CameraGirl said...

Wow! I have never, ever been that close to an egret. Now that's a goal for me in 2014, right?

That one nail certainly is fascinating!

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...


I think acknowleging our enique features without jugment is a compiment.

As always, gorgeous shots

TexWisGirl said...

good spotting on your part. he is a beauty. good going, sticky pants. :)

Anonymous said...

om met z,on mooie serie te beginnen is al geweldig en dan ook nog zo close

Merisi said...

Instances of beauty with no borders!
I hope you managed to get the sticky pants clean again. ;-)

Happy New Year from Vienna,
Merisi

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

We no longer need to look at our flaws; We may carry scars that people will notice but GOD sees us as His perfect creation. Just like that Egret, he carries lifes scars but his feathers are whiter than snow just like Jesus washed us when He came to this earth to save us and we only see this bird's beauty.

You captured this bird in all its glory and we thank you for the challenges you went through to share with us GOD's creation.

Anonymous said...

You do much good, so enjoy your birds, crooked toes and all! Dianne

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

The bird and your photos of it are beautiful. The legs and feet have a beauty that I might have missed if this bird's deformity hadn't prompted you to focus on them.

Hopefully, our flaws serve to show the grace of a Savior who would die to save such flawed creatures.

Melissa said...

It's a beautiful bird, and he seems to be thriving. I'm sure he's adapted in some way to accommodate.

Giga said...

Pazur w drugą stronę nie przeszkadza podziwiać tego pięknego ptaka. Najważniejsze żeby jemu nie utrudniał życia. Pozdrawiam.
Claw on the other side does not bother to admire this beautiful bird. Most important to him is not hampered life. Yours.

renae said...

Sometimes we hold ourselves back by focusing on our flaws.

When I was in high school and into my college years my face was horrid with acne. I was always obsessing over it and trying to hide it and stuff until one day I fess up to my roommate that I was so aggravated with my complexion. She said she hadn't even noticed it. Huh? How could she have not noticed? After that I didn't worry so much and before I knew it my skin was normal again. ALL OF THAT OBSESSION HAD MADE IT WORSE.

Ain't that interesting?

Have a beautiful 2014 Gail, you so deserve it!♥

Anonymous said...

What amazing shots! Love those nails.

The other dog is Ruby - Oscar great-granddaughter. We're fostering her for a while

don said...

You've posted a fine series of excellent shot of this pretty bird. I like how well you exposed to get his snowy white color with some detail retained.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Ick on the sap.

Deformities are everywhere, but it's the inside that matters, right?

hootnonny said...

It's not a deformity...its a hook to hang fish on while he continues to fish!

Happy Day After!

Rosemary Aubut said...

You focus on the wonderful by bring us your beautiful photos! I think when we focus on flaws it just means that we know we can always do better. Think this happens more to highly talented people who may seek perfection and wish to keep on learning! You my dear will never be bored and that is a blessing!

Ruth Hiebert said...

Oh Gail,I think your pictures show the 'wonderful' art of God's creation.The feathers on this bird are the purest white and so beautiful.When we study birds we notice the oddities like a deformed toe,but that's all part of nature.

eileeninmd said...

Beautiful egret shots, Gail! The nail must not bother the egret, so that is good. Happy New Year to you and your family!

Karen said...

Beauty shots! It's hard to get sap off clothes.

Karen said...

Beauty shots! It's hard to get sap off clothes.

Barb said...

Looks like it's holding up its pinky finger! Such purity in your photos. I sure don't envy you the sap!

Unknown said...

Definitely a beauty even with that toenail.. Such great snaps my friend.

Hugs~

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Pallavi said...

He is indeed a beautiful bird dear Gail. Lovely captures :)

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Well, the egret certainly is wonderful even with his flaw which only you would have noticed. And if your perfectionism is a flaw, I thank you for sharing it with us, through your wonderful photos. Happy happy New Year.!

Amy Burzese said...

Very interesting. Goes to show what you can see when you take photos of everything. lol And, I'm glad you take photos and share them with us.

Barbara said...

It took me a minute to see the deformity - I probably wouldn't have even noticed it if you hadn't mentioned it, because I was struck by his beauty. Thanks for sharing these creatures with us!

Anonymous said...

These birds are so awesome...and it was awesome for you to be able to capture the deformity yet focus on the beauty. There are lessons to be learned from nature. Sweet Gail...you are beautiful inside and out...never forget.

Suzan said...

Some of us tend to be more critical on ourselves that what others think or see of us. And then there are those who believe themselves to be perfect. I feel we should love ourselves and always strive to improve ourselves - but be ever so humbling in the face of God.
The beauty you find in nature and all around is greatly appreciated by so many who come to your blog and admire your time and energies!! We are continually blessed by your talents!! thank you Gail and a very Happy New Year!!

Helma said...

What a beautiful photos. Indeed extraordinary that one of his toenails the other state!? Apparently he did not bother;-)

Donna said...

It lightens my heart to see we all have anomalies that makes us wonderful and unique.