Eagle Lesson No.7

There's nothing like relaxing with the sights and sounds of the ocean - sun, breeze, waves, and birds. That's just how I spent five fabulous days on an annual get-away with my friend, Bev. It was GREAT!

One quiet morning, the tide made its way out to sea and served its scheduled banquet of fresh food for hungry feathered guests. Some blue heron and seagulls had already enjoyed their fill and now perched soundless on a long sandspit - taking a break between the main course and desert, I assumed.

Down the beach to the right of my ring-side seat, a pole reached about 15 or 20 feet into the air. From on top of the pole two eagles surveyed the celebration and twittered to each other (Yes - they "twittered" not "screeched").

Suddenly the peaceful panorama changed. One eagle lifted off from the pole and glided toward the sandspit. As if on cue, the blue heron and seagulls lifted off and scrambled to the opposite end of the sand while Mr. Eagle made a perfect landing on the large area they had "politely" left him.

After a couple minutes of silence, a small bird fluttered toward Mr. Eagle, crash landed right beside him, and tirelessly hopped around like a young pup yapping at an old dog and trying to get him to play. Here's the conversation I imagined.

L'l Nip (in quick-paced chirps): Hey, Mr. Eagle, you okay?
Mr. Eagle (cool, suave & motionless): I'm good, Kid.
Li'l Nip: Wanna play? - Wanna? Wanna?
Mr. Eagle: Not now, Kid. I'm takin' a break - just sittin' and watchin'.
Li'l Nip: You sure?
Mr. Eagle didn't make a sound.
Li'l Nip - Okay - see ya.

Without another chirp the little bird flew off and Mr. Eagle just kept sittin' and a watchin'.

Reminds me of how much we miss when we're too busy to take the time to simply "be still…"