Summary

The author, White Feather, recounts a personal story of encountering a great blue heron during a period of recovery from cancer, which became a significant part of their healing process, and reflects on the beauty of nature, the joy of unexpected wildlife encounters, and the simple pleasures of life, such as laughter with family and the potential for building a snowman.

Abstract

The text is a reflective narrative by White Feather, who shares a transformative experience during a summer when they frequently observed a great blue heron at a local lake. This encounter, which occurred during a challenging period of cancer recovery and intense novel writing, led to a deep connection with the heron and its mate, providing a sense of peace and profound joy. The author also touches on the recent subsidence of a tagging epidemic on a social platform and their intention to answer lingering questions. Additionally, White Feather expresses a desire for a private concert by Ella Fitzgerald or Phoebe Snow, cherishes moments of laughter with granddaughters, and anticipates building a snowman after a long hiatus, tying these experiences to the broader theme of finding happiness in life's simple moments.

Great Blue Heron Summer

And an epidemic subsiding

Like a ferocious sandstorm in the desert, a tagging epidemic has been raging through the platform with a name that begins with the letter M. Surely no one has failed to notice it. It seems to be subsiding but one can never be sure about such things. I played along but there are still tag questions I have not answered and other questions I’ve read that I feel compelled to answer. So I am going to dispense with protocol and just answer a couple of random questions then call it a day…

(From Lindsay Lonai Linegar ) Which wild animal has taken your breath away when you saw it unexpectedly?

Around seven years ago I was sitting on a bench near the shore of the little lake south of town when suddenly a gigantic bird came out of the sky and landed right on the shoreline about 15 feet in front of me. Apparently, the bird did not notice me or maybe it didn’t care. But there it was standing so very close to me in all its regal glory.

It was a great blue heron. It was the first time in my life I ever saw one. They just don’t live in all the many places that I’ve lived. So as not to spook it I remained as still as I possibly could as profound joy rippled through my body.

It was so beautiful!

It took a few steps into the water and stood still as it waited for a fish to swim by, oblivious of me watching it so close by. Neither the bird nor I flinched for several very long minutes then in a flash the bird nose dived its beak into the water and came up with a fish which it swallowed whole.

At this point in my life I was recovering from a bout with cancer and I was also working full-time on a novel (the one that made a macho man cry). I spent my mornings writing and then I would spend at least two to three hours out in nature — it was a crucial part of my healing regimen — and then I’d spend the evening writing.

I’d been hiking a local nature trail most days but after that great blue heron encounter I started driving down to the lake every day. And almost every single day the great blue heron was there somewhere around the lake. On some days I would not see her but I would see her boyfriend. He was at least a foot taller than her and he was simply gorgeous!

This is her…

And this is her boyfriend…

I didn’t see the boyfriend much. He was no doubt hanging out at the nest taking care of the children while his woman was out doing all the fishing. Some birds are like that — one reason herons are so endearing to me.

After that initial encounter I spent hours every day for the next four months or so at the lake with my new heron friends. It was my longest and most intense wild animal experience ever. Looking back at it, I call that special time my Great Blue Heron Summer.

2. (From Mark Starlin ) If you could have any musician or band (past or present — pretend we have the technology) come to your house and give a private house concert, who would it be?

It’s a tie between Ella Fitzgerald and Phoebe Snow.

3. (From Lindsay Lonai Linegar) When was the last time you laughed with someone in real life?

The last time I played with my granddaughters.

4. (Made up) When was the last time you built a snowman?

About a quarter of a century ago when my daughter was still a wee one. That may change tomorrow, though. I managed to get a short play date with my granddaughters tomorrow and we’ve got about seven inches of snow on the ground.

Happy Turkey Day!