When you drink Water
You remember its Source
Deng Ming-Dao
He goes on to say; ” Every ordinary moment, every little detail should be a celebration of your personal understanding. Your smallest act should be treated with reverence. And you acknowledge the precious quality of everyday things. And you maintain a gratitude for both the good and the bad things in your life.”
A family friend received a ‘Write it yourself personal history’ book. We were talking about it today over coffee, and she explained it has lots of insightful questions to act as thought starters. Now I’m not going to do the details here, but it dawned on me that one of the deep insightful ponderings that didn’t seem to be included was “The celebration of the great events” that had occurred. So we spent quite a bit of time discussing, several monumental bad things in her journeys, until I pulled it up and asked about the good things.
I follow a blog by Dewitt Jones, (a former Nat Geo photographer among other things called, ‘Let’s Celebrate what’s right”. https://celebratewhatsright.com/dewitts-images
Always simple images, always the everyday things, the things that sometimes in our rush, we overlook. I once wrote on this blog about the photographer who rushed past because he was looking for ‘his moment’, and had missed the important visuals happening where we stood. 🙂
So here we are at the end of an era, about to meet a new decade.
Normally the blog discusses some of the musing of where my photography has been, and where it should, or might be going.
But this year, lucky reader that you are! Not so.
Rather as Ming-Dao points out, tis time to remember the Source.
The sheer ability of the pleasure of being able to go, find some birds and enjoy parts of their complex, hard to understand, and almost impossible to photograph fully, lives.
We’ve shared some time with Wrens, Woodswallows, Waterbirds, and a mix of raptors. Some we’ve seen from conception to flight, some have amused us as Lorikeets, and some have worked their ways into our hearts, like my Tai Chi Pigeon. (A Spotted Dove actually), and currently she is sitting in a tree in the frontyard on her precious little nest of twigs, with one lovely big egg for her to look after.
So a big “Thank You” to all who have taken the time to follow the blog. I hope you’ve enjoyed the journey as much as I have in each stage that has been documented.
I appreciate all those who’ve not only read, but taken the time to drop a comment or two. Just a few words makes returning to the keyboard regularly like taking a wonderful rich drink of water. And I need to remember the Source. Thanks again.
To those that follow on Flickr, well done. Appreciate the time, the comments, the views, and of course your own wonderful photography, that inspires, and enthralls me every time I log on.
Big shout out to all who’ve been in the bush with us this year, or who have dropped a note say, “have you seen…”. It’s great to see friendly faces along the track
And to Mr An Onymous for putting up with my bad jokes, and lack of appreciation of how bold his insight into the world really is.
And Thanks to EE. She, who, not only shares time in the bush, but shares her special skills at recognition and has the patience to put up with my wanderings.
Now to follow the Source into 2020
And a big “THANK YOU” to Cassia- of Cinnamon, for allowing us to share a very important couple of months of her life.
Birds as Poetry —— Just because I WANDER - --doesn't mean I'm LOST 
Well said, David. This year has really brought home, again, that while things seem to go from bad to worse in many ways, there is always something to celebrate and enjoy, and that in turn gives hope in dark times. Even when a bird is elusive (and seems to know when the camera is not at hand – think local Peregrines) there is always another to see.
I have really loved seeing your images of Cassia and her family, superb documentation.
I have enjoyed your blogs through the year and look forward to those in 2020.
Stay cool over the next week, that won’t be easy.
Happy New Year!
Dave
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Hi Ho, David, There is a statement by one of the masters of photography, which says, “I go out with expectation, and look forward to being pleasantly suprised. Works for me.
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Thanks very much Dave. My everyday thing was to wake up on Christmas morning at 6 a.m in a different suburb (Mentone) to hear a very different bird to the magpies
(lovely) and wattlebirds at home in Essendon. A butcher bird warbling. Took the dog for a walk. The butcher bird was high in a tall eucalyptus along the end of the street. No one around. Magic
Happy New Year to you and EE
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Hello Ginny, thanks for dropping by. We don’t get Butcherbirds as locals, but have had the pleasure of working with a visitor the past few weeks. Such a resoundingly beautiful call.
Hope to see you Along the Track in 2020
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Great writing and thoughts Dave, many of which I hadn’t thought about at all. I also hadn’t thought that great events in my life would include “bad’ events, as I feel that only good events should be celebrated and bad ones as a lesson to be avoided in the future, if possible.
I hope you and EE have a great 2020.
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Thanks Rodger, most of the bad things, I reckon I’ve over now, so why keep revisiting them. So many worthwhile things that can encourage, delight and challenge us in our work. Its what keeps me going out.
Best to you and yours for 2020
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Thanks again David, we have thoroughly enjoyed your posts, and the beauty, detail and clarity of your amazing photos. It is good how you have developed the practice of gaining the confidence of the Brown Falcon. It was interesting when my wife and I were out walking just now and a Magpie was allowing me to watch and photograph it only 3 feet away,as it knew and trusted me. A lady walked past and it quickly ran from her away, returning to me after she left. What a rare and beautiful shot of the Brown Falcon preening and watching. As I have shared previously, your photos could make several beautiful children’s/coffee table books showcasing our beautiful birds seldom seen by most. Have a wonderful New Year. I am hoping, if the drought breaks, to visit down south in the coming year, as it has been some time since I birded down there and we both want to do the ocean road again.
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All Good Ashley, funnily enough I am preparing for a 2020 project of “Maggies”. I took your advice, and borrowed a copy of Australian Magpie, by Gislea Kaplan, fascinating, and I thought of all the times I’ve watched Maggies, but have never bothered to photograph them except in special circumstances. Now realise what I’ve been missing.
We’ll see how it goes.
Re books, hmm beyond me, but I will write you seperately about this subject.
Have a great 2020 and may your lens see many great photo opoortunties.
All the best
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Lovely thoughts and of course a beautiful image. I have enjoyed sharing your journey during the year, and look forward to reading about your doings in 2020. All the best to you and Dorothy for the New Year.
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Hello Eleanor, thanks for the note. Appreciate your taking the time to drop by and leave a comment or two.
Best for the new year
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Good evening David, this time I’ve managed to read your post earlier feeling this is something special. It was also good to read the comments of all the lovely people that followed your journey through the passing year.
I’d like to thank you for all the knowledge and inspiration I’ve been sourcing out of your posts and the pleasure from looking at your photos. Wishing you and „EE” another beautiful year and let the health and imagination stays with you for all the best days to come.
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G,day Adam, beaut to have some many folk share the journey with me. Always good to get your comments and to see your super photography on Flickr. All the best for 2020, may great images come by your lens.
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