Appreciating the waiting time: things happen while you wait!
Spending time with nature and birds taught me to appreciate the wait
I am an impatient birder. The kind who starts with a mission. I wanted to capture Orioles with the onset of spring on day 1, perfect shot of wood duck the first time I saw it, a trip to a provincial park would only get successful in my books if it led to a gorgeous shot of Scarlet Tanager, or a morning walk in Goa should somehow lead to spotting Indian Paradise-flycatcher. I want to see them all, the first thing, every time!
But of course, it does not work like that. So last week, after spending one great day in nature, I lamented about not being able to spot any rare species, or take any breathtaking shots, when my sensible partner calmed me down and said-
‘but we saw some great birds and spent an amazing time together.’
And I started thinking about all the good things that happened every time we were waiting.
While I was waiting for that perfect shot of Oriole in high park, Toronto, Cherry blossoms season was in full swing. People all around me were taking pictures with the flowers, but all I wanted that day was the orange beauty of Oriole.
I first saw the female Oriole, which was not a dashing orange but a muted yellow. And I was not impressed. I saw the male soon afterward but could not take a photo.
I decided to keep my camera aside for a while and just then, I saw a ruby-throated hummingbird for the first time. I again could not take any great pictures but the wait for Oriole turned into something else together- the joy of seeing a hummingbird!
The other time, I was in Cotigao National park, India. And my mission was to see and capture photos of Grey hornbills. I asked the forest team about where to find them, how to look for them etc. I was fully prepared but after three hours, their presence escaped me. What made it frustrating was that I could hear them, just not see them.
And then I saw a picturesque location with a canopy of trees, a lake and butterflies.
That lit my face up and we ended up spending a lot of time there. And at that moment, when I had given up on hornbills, a pair appeared just in front of me, close enough to admire them. I could not take a great picture but all of it together- the hornbills, the butterflies, and the forest is imprinted in my memory.
Last month, I went to Point Peele National park, Canada. Again, I had my list of two birds I wanted to see- Indigo Bunting and Belted Kingfisher. I went on all trails that promised those birds, and asked multiple people but could not spot them. And just when I was about to get sad and complain to my partner, because it was getting dark and I felt it was a waste of a day, I saw fireflies.
We saw fireflies together for a long time and it remains one of the precious memories of the day. I also saw a breathtaking sunset and barn swallows feeding their babies. Enough for a good day, right?
I realized how I have always been in a rush, to finish school and go to college, to finish college and start working, to move to the next project in work, to see all the birds possible in a given day with a checklist. But it is so important to pause and appreciate the journey.
Simply cherishing the waiting time, for you never know what all you could see and hold in your memories, while you were waiting.
I am still working on slowing down, but I have come to realize that most of the time, waiting is worth it.
Do I still go with a checklist? yes, I do.
Do I get upset if I don’t see the bird I wanted to see? A little bit.
Do I appreciate everything else I saw? An emphatic YES!
Sharing three of my favourite stories I read last week. Do give them a read.
Michelle Scorziello wrote about the transitions in September. Her vivid and poetic writing makes it a beautiful piece to read.
John Brantingham wrote about his search for Orange!
Sharing Words wrote about an unforgettable journey
