The day started like any other, up at 6am and straight to the computer and work. 7am arrives finally, the caf is open. I dress my daughter quickly and head off for my coffee. Today was a bit different to most though, as I pulled up sharply once I got to the front gate. There, a mere two feet from us was a magnificent Australian kookaburra.
I could not believe it let us get so close without flying away. These wild birds are not used to humans. Getting so close to one is so unusual the memory will stick for a long time. I slowly went back into my home, got my wife so she could enjoy this calm presence too. So the four of us stood there for nigh on 5 minutes, enjoying each other's company with wonder, before our friend finally flew away.
Having had my coffee now though and reflecting on the experience, I realize I blundered my way to the gate, to within two feet of this bird without even knowing it was there. I know the kookaburra was aware of me, was I really that caught up in my own little world though that I did not see this creature till we were almost butting heads? Did I really need to get close enough that we were eyeballing each other before I even noticed he was there?
One more step and surely I would have sent the kookaburra to flight. I would have missed this wonderful start to the day; it would simply have been sacrificed to inattention. What a terrible loss as these magical moments with nature are so rare. It was really a little bit of a wakeup call. Slow down and smell the roses. There is so much happening right now, yet we are all rushing to tomorrow, eyes so focused on the future we forget to enjoy the present.
From my home on Australia's Gold Coast, my young family of three are blessed with the song (or laughter) of kookaburras quite regularly. Never have I experienced one in such a personal way as I did today. I know from today too that the kookaburra's song will have a special meaning for me; there will be a message in every verse. "Slow down Damian" it will sing. "Enjoy what is in front of you right now". A message perhaps we all can benefit from. - 30447
I could not believe it let us get so close without flying away. These wild birds are not used to humans. Getting so close to one is so unusual the memory will stick for a long time. I slowly went back into my home, got my wife so she could enjoy this calm presence too. So the four of us stood there for nigh on 5 minutes, enjoying each other's company with wonder, before our friend finally flew away.
Having had my coffee now though and reflecting on the experience, I realize I blundered my way to the gate, to within two feet of this bird without even knowing it was there. I know the kookaburra was aware of me, was I really that caught up in my own little world though that I did not see this creature till we were almost butting heads? Did I really need to get close enough that we were eyeballing each other before I even noticed he was there?
One more step and surely I would have sent the kookaburra to flight. I would have missed this wonderful start to the day; it would simply have been sacrificed to inattention. What a terrible loss as these magical moments with nature are so rare. It was really a little bit of a wakeup call. Slow down and smell the roses. There is so much happening right now, yet we are all rushing to tomorrow, eyes so focused on the future we forget to enjoy the present.
From my home on Australia's Gold Coast, my young family of three are blessed with the song (or laughter) of kookaburras quite regularly. Never have I experienced one in such a personal way as I did today. I know from today too that the kookaburra's song will have a special meaning for me; there will be a message in every verse. "Slow down Damian" it will sing. "Enjoy what is in front of you right now". A message perhaps we all can benefit from. - 30447
About the Author:
Damian Papworth is a committed father. He recently went looking for baby high chairs. He found the Fisher Price high chair products were very impressive.
