Where Words Meet Wings

Lens-Artists Challenge #396: Pick a Favourite Quote and Illustrate It.

The Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) hunts using a remarkable technique called canopy feeding: it stretches its wings overhead and holds them perfectly still, casting a shadow that cuts the surface glare and reveals fish below. Rumi’s words feel made for this moment — the heron’s stillness creates the conditions, while a single explosive strike creates the meal. Love and life, suspended in a wingbeat.

I thought this would be a perfect way to start my response to this week’s Lens-Artists Challenge. Ann-Christine wrote, “this week I have chosen for us to illustrate favourite quotes.” I love that idea, Ann-Christine. Head on to her post to see her examples and guidelines for the challenge. I have decided to follow her lead with five images and quotes.

The Mottled Duck (Anas fulvigula) is a year-round Texas resident, and these fuzzy ducklings — only weeks old — are taking some of the most consequential first steps of their lives. Mama leads, they follow, mirroring her every move. Lao Tzu’s thousand-mile journey begins right here, on a sun-warmed rock at the water’s edge.

The White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) hunts not by speed but by deliberation, slowly probing mud and shallow water with its long, curved coral bill in search of crayfish, crabs, and insects. Standing watchful among the reeds, it embodies Emerson’s secret perfectly: patience, the unhurried pace of nature, the quiet gift of waiting.

The American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) lives nearly all of its life within sight of the sea, prying open oysters, clams, and mussels with the chisel-tipped orange bill that gives the species its name. Standing alone on the shore, this bird seems to read directly from Emerson’s lines: sunshine, sea, and wild air — the whole prescription for a good life.

The Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) winters in the rainforests of South America — including parts of Brazil — and travels thousands of miles north each spring to nest in our forests, blazing in courtship plumage when it arrives. Like Gibran’s flower turning toward the sun, the tanager follows the light northward, carrying summer on his back.

This feels like a wonderful continuation of Beth’s beautiful theme we had last week. Thanks for all those great photos in your responses. I hope you will join this challenge, too. Please don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag in your posts to help people find your wonderful challenge entries.

Next week, Anne will feature a new challenge. It will go live at noon EST in the USA. Tune in to find out more about the challenge then. Please see this page for more information about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history. If you don’t want to miss any future challenges, please consider subscribing to the team members’ websites. Here they are:

• Tina of Travels and Trifles.
• Patti of P.A. Moed.
• Ann-Christine of Leya.
• John of Journeys with Johnbo.
• Anne of Slow Shutter Speed.
• Sofia of Photographias.
• Egídio of Through Brazilian Eyes.
• Ritva of Ritva Sillanmäki Photography.
• Beth of Wandering Dawgs.

All of these photos were captured at the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center. That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in others featuring American Oystercatcher, Lens-Artists, Mottled Duck, Parks, Scarlet Tanager, South Padre Island, SPI Birding and Nature Center, Texas, Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, and Wildlife. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.