Ruddy Turnstone
@ Hans Hillewaert
When worldly events are too hard, or sad–especially then–we need to take time to realign ourselves with life rebuilding the world all around us.
Life and death happen all the time, everywhere, in the natural world, and never is one creature cruel to another, even as they must eat.
I saw a ruddy turnstone down the beach, stamping around in an intriguing fashion, so I quietly sat nearby, interested in what she was up to.
Signs of a struggle
Here in the sand is the record of what unfolded. And what a drama it was! The shorebird hopped into the air, snagged a bright blue dragonfly, dismembered it, and filled her own hungry stomach. While I felt sad to see the life of the migrating insect end, it was fascinating to consider the instincts of dragonfly digested and transformed into turnstone.
Bitter Panicum grass, an important dune builder
The wind was blowing at 10 or so knots from the southeast, knocking the seeds of a dune grass onto the beach. I watched seeds gather in small pockets of sand, and witnessed the ways the beach rebuilds itself.
Take time to rebuild your spirit, you who are grieving the bears.
Panicum grass reseeding itself
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Beautifully written, Susan. Always a pleasure to read. Take care, Brandy
Thank you so much, Brandy, you seed planting,world rebuilder, you
You are writing for me! For all of us. Thank you so much for putting the world around and within us into words.
Thanks for the uplifting words.
John
Oh Sue! Thanks. So beautifully said, so poignantly touching.