Solid and Proud
May 6, 2012 
I see beauty. I see strength. I see elegance and grace. I see balance.
I see nature - at her best.
I see a bird - at hers.
I see possibility. I see hope. I see wings...preparing themselves to fly. I see a sky that is limitless. I see an ocean that is bottomless. I see what is - just as it is - today.
It was the super moon I set out to find this morning...to capture before it sunk below the horizon. There was no moon. There wasn't even a horizon. Everything and all was wrapped in a blanket of thick heavy wet fog and mist.
As the sun burned thru..as things gradually came into focus - I saw this. One singular lone bird. Standing solid and proud. Just like that..just like this - basking in the morning light.
I saw determination. I saw focus.
For just one moment - I wondered if she sees the beauty that others do. I wondered if she knows her own strength...her own inner light..her own elegance and grace.
And then - she spread her great wings and grew and flew.
Reader Comments (46)
Wow Marcie ... these words and this picture are stunning ... I am so bad in commenting nature pictures, I always miss right words to describe what I feel while looking at the image ... and this time I am happy finding - strength and elegance in your writing for I feel that so well here :)
WoW! Great capture. Love the nearby grasses.
Oh my...what a spectacular capture!
it's as if all the superness of the moon
was poured out into the form of a magnificent bird
and as the fog lifted
there she was;)
SO stunning!
And the shot is oh so beautiful.
I'm glad you watched and waited.
-Jennifer
I know I've said this before...but "I LOVE YOUR BLOG." Your photos could stand on their own, but the words you add just put them over the top. Gorgeous photo, Marcie.
This picture is awesome! Love your words.
Love the heron -- such distinct colors, especially after the fog. I didn't get to see the Super Moon either -- thunderstorms... :-)
Wow! The light, the color, the everything is amazing. Beautiful!
What an outstanding shot!
That is a beautiful Blue Heron Marcie... i think!... i love the photo and the way you described your search for the moon... i just got home at 11:30 after catching it rise here in the north... and got it posted tonight....peter:)
Wow! Simply beautiful.
Stay inspired!
excellent colors and atmosphere
I know herons well enough to know that they know me. To herons, we are not that important but merely part of their overall plan. I thank them for that.
Spectacular Marcie!
absolutely stunning!
Nice to see him in his habitat
Amazing text and photo..it's amazing to see life through your eyes. :-)
This is absolutely Beautiful Marcie! I love your work! It's always a joy to open your daily practice emails...
Oh, how lovely...your way with a camera is only enhanced by your way with words. Beautiful!
Beautiful light and composition.
An elegant looking bird, nicely posed among the reeds.
beautiful
reminds me of an old japanese handart
A lesson in finding the beauty that is there - perhaps not what we originally sought - but perhaps what we needed to see. Your ability to find beauty and to bring it to us in both words and images continues to amaze me.
What a gorgeous image. The colors are spectacular. And thank you Marcie for your thoughtful words. As usual.
I see a bird that eats our koi. Even after saying that, I think they are perfectly designed and beautiful. And hard to photograph, very wary. This is excellent
Wow Marcie, this is gorgeous. What beautiful things you witness.
The light and focus take me right to this lovely bird. Excellent image. Solid and Proud says it.
This shot just took my breath away!
What a magnificent image this is Marcie, and as always, your words are so perfect for it.
I missed the moon too. My intentions were good, but I fell asleep! :-(
From what I've heard, there was quite a heavy cloud cover her in NY also.
I wonder those things too. And see them thanks to you and your eye for beauty. I'm amazed at what you found when the fog cleared, and happy that you waited and watched for what appeared. happy day to you Marcie. I hope it's glorious.
It's the texture and colour of the vegetation surrounding the heron that makes this such an attractive picture. Well done Marcie.
Splendid post!
THAT is a gorgeous capture...You should send it to National Geographic or any other contests!
Such an elegant bird in a beautiful setting.
I see a gorgeous photo.
oh my, just absolutely stunning!
Elegance and strength, that's what I see. And, extraordinary beauty. I'm so glad you got up in search of the moon, and found this bit of 'light' instead...
Magnificent
What a beautiful photo, and a beautiful creature. The lighting is perfect!
I love anything that has to do with grasses! Just to look at, take photographs, plant, cut...you name it! This is one beautiful capture Marcie!
i like this a lot, marcie. has a painted quality...very soft.
nice focus on that noble looking heron.
Tout en élégance, tout est élégance... sublime.
So stately--wonderful capture Marcie!
now that's a nice "catch"! :)
Marcie - this is a delightful, artistic and magical image. Composition and lighting are super nice!