I had a major magical moment with wildlife while visiting Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden in Portland a few weeks ago. I took a little used side trail and paused briefly in the pouring down rain.
This Great Blue Heron walked right up to me before turning to stand near a pond. I could have reached out and touched the bird. WOW! I stopped snapping pictures when it was really close to me because I didn’t want to scare it.
I’m working on a book where the main character is a girl born with the powers of several animals. One animal is a Great Blue Heron. Was this heron showing its appreciation of my efforts so far on that book?
I had another magical moment with wildlife at Yellowstone National Park this week. We were at the end of the road at Slough Creek and saw a small critter weaving its way through the sagebrush. A badger!
Though my phone camera accessed every setting but the one I needed, my pocket Canon camera worked great. I stood still as the badger walked towards me. It was another wow moment!
I’ve written a short story in one of my novels where a badger uses its powerful front legs to crush various things into pieces of black obsidian. He creates green obsidian, mahogany obsidian, and rainbow obsidian. Again, I felt the close presence of this animal was encouraging me to continue working on my never-quite-finished books.
On another visit to Yellowstone, this young pronghorn buck kept walking towards me. You are supposed to keep a certain distance away from wildlife at the park. I kept backing away, but he kept walking closer to me.
In one of my books, a pronghorn doe was a supporting character. I revised the book and cut her character. In the writing world it’s called “killing your darlings.” The persistence of this pronghorn at Yellowstone reminded me not to abandon her completely. She may show up in a future book or short story.
Memorable magical moment with wildlife from the past
Many years ago, I found this seagull while doing fieldwork at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge . I wrote the following in my field journal.
Found a ring-necked gull on the S shore lying in shallow water. It couldn’t fly or walk, so I tucked it under an arm and took it back to MFS (Malheur Field Station).
Though this animal didn’t approach me, I felt drawn to it as it lay helpless along the shores of Malheur Lake. Since it may have had avian botulism, I offered it a solution of water, salt, and sugar. I fed the gull bits of canned dog food, whether it wanted to eat it or not. As the bird’s health improved, it became more uncooperative and ornerier. Eventually, it was well enough to be released back into the wild.
I made a snarky, yet lovable, seagull into a major character in a book I’m working on. The gull is the narrator, and it’s written in a first person, secondary character point of view (POV). Though it’s tricky to write from that POV, the book has been fun to work on.
These magical moments with wildlife continue to inspire me. Those who know me well call me an “animal magnet” because I often have close encounters with wild and domesticated creatures. As long as they continue to make connections with me, I’ll continue to photograph and write about them. 🙂
I love night herons. We have them as well. They know so well how and where to pose.
Yes, herons are great at striking poses. Very special creatures, Judy!
Wonderful, wonderful connection moments! Great captures!
Thanks so much, Egidio! 🙂
Wow, the symbols of the heron and the animals with connections to your books, and stories is profound. And I am a true believer. You are lucky to see a badger. They are hard to find and even though they can be dangerous, they are beautiful . Beautiful photos of the heron, Siobhan, and you have the most amazing soul. That seagull is pretty lucky, and good on you for extending your writing into books. Fantastic.
Thank you for your thoughtful comments, Donna. I was very lucky to see these animals so close. I believe things happen for a reason. I am honoring them since they honored me with their presence.
What a close encounter with the great blue heron! It is magical indeed when that happens.
You were lucky to spot the badger at Yellowstone. And the pronghorn, too.
All of them are encouraging you with your book.
Thanks! Yes, these were all wonderful encounters. Seeing them has encouraged me to keep plugging away on my books. 🙂
Such a fun take on the challenge Siobhan. The gull story cracked me up! I’m not the least surprised the animals are drawn to you. Coincidence? I think not!!
Thanks, Tina! Yes, the gull’s true personality came through once it’s health improved. Somewhere, I had a photo of two cats and a dog on my lap at the same time. Animal magnet!
Siobhan, that great blue heron is a photo hog! >grin< You must have a knack for attracting animals. That pronghorn is a beautiful animal, but my favorite is the badger.
Thanks, John! Yeah, the heron was impressive. Pronghorn are one of my favorite animals. It was a great sighting of the badger!
Lovely photo of the blue heron!
Thank you! It was happy to pose fir me. 🙂
Beautiful photos and wonderful backstories, Siobhan. Listen to the animals: keep writing. The world needs to learn their magic and their stories.
Thanks for your wonderful comment! I’ll keep on writing about magical creatures and places. 😁
I’ve had a few of those moments myself -always magical. I take seriously when an animal reaches out.
Yes, they are magical, aren’t they? It’s always wonderful when they happen.
Excellent! Love your selections.
Thank you, Amy!
Such amazing stories, it’s always a wonderful surprise when you connect with animals the way you did. Excellent photos too 🙂
Thanks, Sofia! You never know what stories animals may tell you. 🙂
Beautiful potential stories and images Siobhan!
Thank you, Anne!
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