The mirror cracks
loud enough for wrists
to bleed; “only one of us
must remain ugly,”
mumbled he.
Velvet-Fronted Nuthatches seem like angry birds. I have seen them enact 1950s gangster movie scenes with flycatchers and minivets. I can’t speak their language but it seemed as though the nuthatches had started most of the fights.
They also appear to be frowning all the time.
While in the company of Velvet-Fronted Nuthatches though, I have learned about containing my own anger.
These beautiful paper cup-sized birds, robed in violet-blue, move quicker than hiccups. I used to get frustrated because of how difficult it was to photograph them. Over time it occurred to me that I just needed to make sure they weren’t in an angry mood. So I figured the sort of trees that were likely to host more grubs. And I would wait until a flock of nuthatches goes grubbing on a single one.
In large numbers and with food in abundance, they seemed calmer. Slower in movement too. Suddenly, they weren’t so difficult to photograph. And I wasn’t angry in their midst anymore.
It then occurred to me that I had ignored the reasons behind these temper tantrums of theirs. Even if Velvet-Fronted Nuthatches get angrier than the average bird, it wouldn’t be without purpose.
They could have been fighting for territorial rights. Trying to appear belligerent to ward off predators. Or just being intense about finding delectable grubs inside the barks of trees.
Anger, after all, can be a terrible thing to waste. Too precious to be tucked away without dignity; too intense to be spilled forth in haste. But it needn’t be a monster with curse words for racing shoes and clenched fists for concupiscence.
It can be a channel for creativity or a cause to find new ways to connect with the world.
(Photographs – Kodaikanal / Thekkady)
Reblogged this on oshriradhekrishnabole.
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One bird of yours I can say I’ve seen! We saw it last winter at Kullu – angry though they may be, they are undeniably beautiful. 🙂 Also, who can’t fall in love with nuthatches? 😛
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Hehe who can’t indeed. Just the name alone. Nuthatch, is it a nut, a thatch (if so what is that), nope it’s a beautiful birdie
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Reblogged this on inlovelustandlaughter and commented:
This writer is a poet even when writing prose.
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Thanks for this.
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I am glad it resonated jane, I really am. Thank you so very much for the lovely intro and the reblog, I m touched!
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Anger, a terrible thing to waste. Thank you for the timely reminder that even dark emotions are sparks that incite the fire of life.
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Burn beautifully and with elan, it must!
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Exactly the essence of my latest post…anger management!
Your pictures are great. And, Bird looks pretty colorful!
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I’ll definitely check it out, bud. Thanks for the kind words!
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Beautifully written and, yes as has already been commented upon, a reminder of the positiveness of expression how one really feels. As Sarah McLaughlin puts it: “…and if I feel a rage I won’t deny it…”
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And, yes, I misspelled her name.
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Hehehe I thought Sinead O’ Connor and Sarah were the same performer at one point in my life. Cast stones I shall not, my friend.
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Thank you so much. Positive energy is such a delicate beast, best handled with love and care. Love the song title (Fumbling towards ecstasy), hadn’t heard it before ❤
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“Anger after all can be a terrible thing to waste. Too precious to be tucked away without dignity; too intense to be spilled forth in haste. But it needn’t be a monster with curse words for racing shoes and clenched fists for concupiscence.
It can be a channel for creativity or a cause to find new ways to connect with the world.”
Quoting from you is the best gift to give your words and birds for you say it better than most of us here 🙂
Birding and wisdom. Nowhere else to be found.
Thank you. I so needed to read this today.
🙂 God Bless!
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So glad to be of some existential (heh) help, dear comrade! Like Pablo Neruda once said, “you can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep spring from coming”
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what words! especially on anger! loved the post and the photos…Now catching up with the your blog’s other posts..:-)
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Gypsy! Gosh feels like it’s been ages (big smile), very glad to have you back!
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Thank you Christy! With friends like you, it feels good to be back! 😀
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D’awww (even bigger smile)
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Anger has a distinct purpose in its upset, but we all use it for the wrong reasons most of the time. Experience teaches us to delay anger until only absolutely necessary. There are plenty of other ways to get a heart pumping — I prefer martial arts to anger.
I feel that birds are keenly aware of any frustration we may have residing within us and act accordingly. When I am calm and relaxed, my feathered friends have no problem flocking around me — like my Cardinal family is doing right now!!
Another great piece. Thanks for bringing it to the foreground (I like to honk that you are reposting these gems just for me because I missed them earlier). Cheers, Christy!
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And oooooh! Those nut hatches. Yours there is the most beautiful I’ve seen. The Pygmy (captured on vacation in March) remains my fav, though.
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Not sure how to easily link the photo of the pygmy. He’s a cutie, no longer than my pinky. I will probably never see him again in my life. http://wp.me/p28k6D-1GE, end of the post (a list and link) from March.
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(runs around like hair is on fire)
She looks amazing! You will see her again Shannon, maybe unexpectedly so (smile)
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She is pretty sweet, isn’t she? Of course, not the blue dinner jacket and serious look of yours…
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Hahaha blue dinner jacket, looooove it!
She’s a beau ❤
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Awww such cherubs they are Shannon, they d be thrilled in your company for sure.
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Wow! Very interesting read!! 🐼
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Thanks panda man!
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Shall I call you Birdman 💃😝
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Haha I don’t insist but oh boy would I get a kick out of that!
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Hehehehe 😛 birdman it is then 😀
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