. . . is a Swahili Proverb that I read today. Well . . . not actually read . . . but learned while listening to a Book-on-Disk. It actually makes sense, especially for me, as I make this journey. Recently a good friend advised me that I should blog what I know and I seem to know photography . . . so . . . as I was tooling over the Blue Ridge Parkway, trying to get from Point “A” to Point “B”, it dawned on me that my goal of completing a certain amount of distance was leaving behind the things I want to enjoy, the “blessings” that I was bypassing. I hade to stop, have to stop . . . and give up the Hurry! So here is what my blessings today were.
Early morning, 9 AM-ish looking east out over North Carolina. It is a warm pleasant day on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Traffic here is so light that it is as if I am the only person on the road today. As I continue to roll north, pushing close towards the North Carolina / Virginia border, the clear, warm skies over head start to darken and I am quickly getting overrun by an approaching cold front. The temperature is dropping from a very acceptable mid are dropping and the winds are 70’s to the upper 50’s in just a few minutes. . . . and in less than half an hour the rain, thunder and lightning are upon me. Winds rushing up the mountain slopes rock and buffet my car . . . forcing me to slow my pace . . . and it is beautiful to be in the forefront of the maelstrom!But as quickly as it is upon me . . . it passes. Racing down the slopes and east towards the lowlands, leaving everything wet and clean.Leaving such places as Malbray Mills darkened by the damp and stunning in the muted overcast light. A light sprinkle passes overhead, just to make me wet as well!The end of the rain seems to be a signal to the wild Turkey Hens to come out of hiding. I had to slow to avoid them, they were so abundant once I crossed into Virginia. Stupid Birds anyway!!And this one is for those out there who know much more about birds than I do. I initially drove past this stunning red bird at 35 MPH. It had to be the brightest red that I have ever seen, as it sat in a tree 15 feet off the parkway. As soon as I could, I found a pull off and spun the car around, heading back to see if I could see it again . . . and miraculously it was still perched there waiting for me. I snapped off four quick shots across the passenger seat of the car, out the window . . . and it was gone. This is the only shot that was in focus. Can anyone tell me the name of this gorgeous little bird?
What the Walrus said . . . 
2 responses to “Hurry Hurry has no blessings . . .”
It’s a scarlet tanager!
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Thank you Kristine. I know that they sometimes show up in SC . . . But I never expected such an incredible red!!
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