February 21, 2006 |
Volume 2 - Number 20 |
See
http://www.eteletours.com/v2-issue120.html if the picture is not visible
here
TODAY'S PHOTO -
Northern Shovelers in Wakodahatchee Wetlands
On our walk on Saturday there were about 10 of these ducks near the entrance. Attracted first by the bright green head on one (not visible in this view), I first thought that they were Wood Ducks. Fortunately, on our way out we saw a more knowledgeable bird watcher who pointed out the broad bills and told us that they were Shovelers.
This was a first sighting for us in the three years we have been walking in Wakodahatchee and I found the ducks fascinating to watch. Four females were grouped together as one, simply waiting to be selected, it seemed, during this breeding season.
I chose the particular scene above to feature today for the overall feel of it and because the ducks were more in the foreground than in some of the other shots I got.
SELF-REFLECTING QUERIES -
Although I was fairly certain that I was accurate about my initial categorizing of the breed of the bird, I was open to checking it out with someone who, by virtue of his binoculars, seemed to be more of an expert.
What I realized, when corrected, was that I had not paid full attention to all of the details. I was responding to color and totally missed observing the distinctive bill. It's almost as if I saw what I wanted to see and, though I expected to be right, I was delighted to have my knowledge base expanded.
Contrasted with this was the "discussion" another couple was having about something they saw. "It's a bird." "No it's a turtle," was a repeated, ultimate, bickering between them. No give and take or openness.
I share these stories today, with an invitation for you to look at things or situations you classify. Do you do it with openness and awareness of the full picture or do you get locked into one view? When you are open, how do you gather your information? Are there additional ways?
Wishing you the joy of discovery during this next week.
MORE ON THE LAST ISSUE - This "Face in an Orchid" Issue received a wide variety of reader reponse. Some are on the blog and many came to me directly. I thank you all. For those who did not see the face I saw, and that's perfect, I did a quick sketch of it. If you are still curious, see Orchid Face .
IN THE GIFT SHOP
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Yellow cattleya orchid from Volume 2 - Issue 6 printed on a year-at-a-glance calendar. Wonderful above a desk for quick accessing of a day/date. Also imprinted on other surfaces. See the special PICTURE TO PONDER PHOTOS section.
We also now have a separate grouping with note cards only. |
SHARING READER COMMENTS -
Thank those of you who are responding to my invitation to post your responses to the past few issues on the Picture to Ponder Blog. I am delighted.
Several of the past few issues have new comments on them. Please check them out. It's merely a quick scroll down each of the issues, a click on COMMENTS and then your browser BACK button for some very insightful comments.
Insofar as posting comments, those of you with web sites can have the added option of the exposure of your name being linked to your URLs. I chose Typepad as the location for the blog - www.sheilafinkelstein.typepad.com/picture_to_ponder - because it is so easy to post comments.
When you go to the BLOG,
you'll see the current issue and photo and a link at the end for Posting Comments. To see the photo
ENLARGED at the same size you see it here, simply click
on it.
Lastly, if posting on a blog is not your style, please continue to send your comments directly to me . Learning what you are experiencing means a lot. It is part of the reward of Picture to Ponder for me.
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Especial thanks to those of you who have been passing this on!
Inspirationally,
Sheila
sheila@eteletours.com
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© 2006 Sheila Finkelstein
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