Great Blue Heron: "Seeking"
What is it you seek in solitude with such dedication?
(Great Blue Heron - photo by Neil Barker - September 2, 2024)
A solitary figure moves slowly, pauses, continues.
Attention focused on what they seek, filtering out all else.
What is it you seek in solitude with such dedication?
I took these photos September 2, 2024. I was halfway through my hike at Britannia Conservation Area and stopped at a footbridge. I saw several people on the bridge looking out over the water.
I saw the people were looking at a Great Blue Heron out in the water. The heron was stalking for breakfast.
I took a few photos from the bridge. I crossed the bridge to see the heron from the other side of the water. I hoped to get closer to the heron by making my way down to the shoreline.
I watched the heron for a few minutes and continued my hike. After hiking for about 20 minutes, I returned to the bridge. When I arrived at the bridge, the heron was still in the area.
There is a stoic loneliness in herons that I connect with and appreciate. I hike alone and do it as form of walking meditation. When I see a heron, I sense I am meeting a fellow traveler on a similar meditation.
After taking several photos, I smiled and silently wished the heron well on their day.
English - Korean:
Heron = 왜가리 / Waegari
Great = 큰 / Keun
Blue = 청 / Cheong
Great Blue Heron = 큰청왜가리 / Keuncheong-waegari
Hiking is my meditation too, Neil. I never get tired of the practice.
For me, there’s a quiet wisdom in the Heron. It’s hard to describe, but it feels like a gift to see one in the wild—a moment to pause and reflect with reverence.
I saw a Grey Heron earlier this week, it took me a while to notice it as it was in a tree. Of course, herons nest in trees, but still, I'm always somehow surprised to see them in the branches.