A deep contemplation today from J. Krishnamurti…

Awareness of outward things

If you are aware of outward things—the curve of a road, the shape of a tree, the colour of another’s dress, the outline of the mountains against a blue sky, the delicacy of a flower, the pain on the face of a passerby, the ignorance, the envy, the jealousy of others, the beauty of the earth—then, seeing all these outward things without condemnation, without choice, you can ride on the tide of inner awareness. Then you will become aware of your own reactions, of your own pettiness, of your own jealousies. From the outward awareness, you come to the inward; but if you are not aware of the outer, you cannot possibly come to the inner… When there is inward awareness of every activity of your mind and your body; when you are aware of your thoughts, of your feelings, both secret and open, conscious and unconscious, then out of this awareness there comes a clarity that is not induced, not put together by the mind. ~~ J. Krishnamurti: The Collected Works vol XV p 243

What do you see when you look around you… And how do you feel when you see it… I believe that “ride on the tide of inner awareness” we must see everything with an open heart that radiates love.

(Photo: Young Mute Swans at the Artichoke River Reservior ~ c. Pamela J. Leavey 2012)

In the midst of my imposed immobility, I occasionally get sprung from the sanctuary that I call home, and I am whisked away for drive through the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge.

The winter days have been so unseasonably warm over the past few weeks and my soul craves the sun and fresh air, not to mention some good bird sightings as well.

On my most recent excursion to the Refuge, which truly is the most marvelous stronghold for my soul, we were lucky to find a lovely White Egret sunning near two Mute Swans. Suddenly the White Egret took to flight and it was spectacular to witness it’s ascent into the skies.

I wish my camera did better justice to the majesty of watching this lovely bird in flight… I’m was filled with gratitude with the blessing of just quietly witnessing it’s presence.

(Photo: White Egret in Flight ~ c. Pamela J. Leavey 2012)

“A 21st Century worldview of unity and love is emerging, but we’re constantly being drawn back to 20th Century illusions of separation and fear. With every thought we think, we chose for all humanity whether to go forward or go back.” ~~ Marianne Williamson

(Photo: Harrier Hawk in Flight ~~ c. Pamela J. Leavey 2011)

When left bereft, we must each rise up and find the majesty within our weary souls.

Tired, void of energy to carry on, we must re-mind ourselves that each set-back, leads in time to steps forward.

(Photo: White Egret in the Marsh ~~ c. Pamela J. Leavey 2012)

More Egret photos here.

Taken earlier this month at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge… A Rough Legged Hawk in flight…

Sitting at my desk today, watching the rain pour down on the Merrimack River, I wish I could be like this lovely raptor, in flight.

(Photo: Rough Legged Hawk in Flight ~~ c. Pamela J. Leavey 2012)

Trees in winter, stripped bare of their foliage often offer a view worthy of the interpretation of an artist’s eye:

While driving along the river the other day with my hiking partner, I noticed this Bird In A Tree.

As I continue to work through my photos and edit them, I plan to create an album of Mother Nature’s Art Work as exhibited in the bare trees.

(Photo: Bird In A Tree ~~ c. Pamela J. Leavey 2012)

Having your right foot in a cast is truly a pain in the a**. I’m not sure what is most annoying about it all, but not being able to drive is a big one. It’s tough being stuck in house and dependent on family and friends for supplies, etc…

I also sorely miss my hiking at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Maudsley State Park and along Point Shore in Amesbury. Before I started hiking a few weeks ago, a good drive along the river to Plum Island always served to clear my head.

Thankfully, my hiking partner came by to rescue me on Monday and we took a wonderful drive along the Merrimack River, from Amesbury, through Merrimack and Rock’s Village and then over the Rock’s Village Bridge and back along River Road in West Newbury (my early childhood stomping grounds).

We were looking for Bald Eagles which have been here in smaller numbers this season. The Bald Eagle proved to be elusive on Monday, but we treated to a sighting of 4 – 6 Eastern Bluebirds… Yes, that’s right, the Blue Bird Of Happiness.

Sadly, the afternoon light was not in my favor as I tried to take some photos of these delightful creatures of the Great Mother Goddess, as the photo above attests.

As we headed back to Newburyport along Rte 113, we decided to veer off and take a drive by the Upper Artichoke River Reservoir before heading home. As we drove along the reservoir we spotted a few Mute Swans gliding along the reservoir with their wings up.

What a glorious sight. I’ve had a great deal of contact with the Mute Swans in recent weeks while on my hikes on the Parker River Path.  Their grace and beauty are simply astounding and watching them fills my soul with a powerful awe.

The nearly two decades that I lived in the Los Angeles area I longed to be closer to nature. Aspects of my life have opened up and changed to provide me the time, at least for now, to enjoy this place, this glorious span of nature’s bounty, that I call home, here on the river.

A few weeks ago I joined the ranks of the unemployed and took to walking 3 – 5 days a week with a dear friend, to clear my head and get grounded. There’s nothing better for freeing your mind than a brisk walk in the cool winter air.

Most of my walks were spent exploring the many trails and pathways at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. The Hellcat Swamps trails have become a favorite, from the observation tower on the Parker River side to the 50 foot dune on the ocean side.

My hikes abruptly stopped on January 8, after a fall in my driveway left me with abrasions, bruises and a badly sprained foot. The following day I ended up with a cast on my right foot which needless to say has kept me from the hikes and trails. The cast is scheduled to come off on January 23 and I am hoping to get the okay from the doctor to start hiking again.

The photo above is from the observation deck atop the 50 foot dune mentioned above. From the top of the dune on clear day, the Isles of Shoals and Mount Agamenticus in York, Maine are visible.

The Parker River National Wildlife Refuge is a birder’s paradise and during the past weeks spent there I have come to think of myself as a birder too. My heart and soul fill with sheer delight when I spot a Red Tail, Rough Legged or Harrier Hawk. And the Mute Swans simply fill my heart with radiant love.

The day before my fall my friend and I were blessed to witness the flight of four Mute Swans from the edge of the Parker River and then up and over the observation tower at Hellcat Swamp. Flying a mere 8 – 10 feet overhead, the sound of their wings beating was like the primordial beat of the mother’s heart (the Great Mother Goddess)… Thump… Thump… Thump.

Ah… but there was more… We watched their magical, mystical dance through the air as they swooped down towards the northern end of the swamp and then they rose again. Up… up… up and swirl back towards the observation tower. We stood awash in the magic of watching the swans fly overhead, not once but twice, before landing back where they started from. And we knew that their flight was a gift from the Goddess.

I maybe grounded right now from hiking (and driving) but every time I think of those swans flying overhead, I feel their blessings and I know they will be there to greet me when I return back to the Parker River Path.

A Downy Woodpecker…

(Photos: Downy Woodpecker The Secret Garden, Newburyport, MA ~~ © Pamela J. Leavey 2011)

“We are each of us angels with only one wing. And we can only fly embracing each other.” ~~ Luciano de Crescenzo

(Photo: © Pamela J. Leavey 2011)