25 Comments
User's avatar
User's avatar
Comment deleted
Sep 2
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks B2 and a true feathery statue indeed in your note!

Expand full comment
User's avatar
Comment deleted
Sep 2
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
Neil Barker's avatar

Such a cool pose and interesting too the heron like that. I really did not know what I was looking at the first time I saw that heron far off.

Expand full comment
User's avatar
Comment deleted
Sep 2
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks A. Ship! I have yet to see the same pose since and I do keep looking though. Hopefully I do get to see the similar pose again.

Expand full comment
Michael's avatar

A deep question! And a great photograph. Thanks for a lovely start to the day, Neil.

Expand full comment
Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks Michael and reflecting back on the image and experience, that question still lingers.

Expand full comment
Michael's avatar

For me too! I know Manitoba is to the west but since you're a nature photographer like Richard, I'll pass on this caution from the CDC.

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/30/9/23-1344_article/

Expand full comment
Pamela Leavey's avatar

I don't think I've seen a heron or and egret in a pose like this either. Interesting photo capture Neil.

Expand full comment
Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks Pamela and this pose definitely surprised me. I have yet to see the same pose by herons or egrets since.

Expand full comment
Krystal Miss's avatar

Sometimes you gotta let your wings down. :) Great picture.

Expand full comment
Neil Barker's avatar

Great point Krystal and definitely! :)

Expand full comment
Emma Liles's avatar

So cool Neil, I just saw a heron doing this for the first time last week and wondered the same thing.

My thoughts on your question: I have heard that a drum vibrates whether or not we can “hear” the sound. If there is awareness permeating the entirety of form, then where is a space or place where “listening” in some form is not occurring. This doesn’t quite touch on whether it exists or not…I’ll let the monks debate that one!

Expand full comment
Neil Barker's avatar

That's awesome that you have seen the same pose by a heron. I have yet to see a heron or egret do the same pose since then. Definitely stuck in my memory.

Re: the question - I like the analogy you use about the drum and the sound. My thought from far out in left field is that perhaps I have been thinking about the drum and sounds backwards. Maybe the sounds is always there and the drum is merely a vehicle to deliver the sound. Or like you mention, I should let the monks debate that one too! ;)

Expand full comment
Emma Liles's avatar

Oh I really like that - yes the vibration preceding the form. Yes yes yes. The pattern in the field before condensation into form.

Expand full comment
Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Thank you for sharing this incredible observation with us, Neil. It almost looks like the GBH is sitting in a lotus posture, meditating. I haven’t seen this before. I have seen them with different wing postures, stock still and looking like a direct link to the dinosaurs. I believe they are descendants of the same family as T. Rex. A wild observation here on your part, well done!

Expand full comment
Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks Heidi and they do look like they were meditating in some way! I have yet to see other herons or egrets since pose like this heron. Very interesting indeed.

Expand full comment
Sheryl O'Connell's avatar

Such an unusual pose - I suspect a rebellious teen that is choosing not to be regal just because they can!

Expand full comment
Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks Sheryl andI love your idea of the rebellious teen heron. :)

Expand full comment
Darcie Clark's avatar

Wings like open palms to the sun. What a sight to behold! No wonder your initial confusion. A beautiful statue indeed.

Expand full comment
Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks Darcie and I like how you describe that pose as "open palms to the sun.'

Expand full comment
James Freitas's avatar

Such a great shot and so cool, Neil—I’ve never seen a heron do that. Thank you for sharing.

Expand full comment
Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks James and it was such an odd thing to see at first. A year later and have not seen a heron do the same pose since. Happy to share!

Expand full comment
Troy Putney's avatar

Very cool. Reminds me of some Buddhist monk statues I've seen from Southeast Asia.

Expand full comment
Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks Troy. This was such an unusual thing for me to see - almost a zazen-like pose. I have yet to see a heron do the same pose.

Expand full comment
Carl Ingwell's avatar

Lotus. Love it.

Expand full comment
Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks Carl

Expand full comment