I've been waiting for this day all week long. There has been a huge flock of snow geese in the neighborhood all week long. Every morning I watch them and think how I'd love to go out there and get pictures, but talk myself out of it because I need to get ready for work.
Knowing that I had today off, I voiced my wish every single morning as I mourned out the window, that they would hang around until today so that I could take pictures. Just ask Dan the Man, he heard me every single morning... "I sure hope they hang around until Friday so that I can try to get pictures."
With the excitement and anticipation of a young child on Christmas morning, I found myself wide awake at 4 am, giddy with the thought that it was Friday morning and with God's grace, the geese would be waiting for me. I lay in bed trying to fall back a sleep telling myself I was such a goober if this is what brings me excitement.
Tick-tock, tick-tock, ding-dong, ding-dong went the chimes on the clock in the living room. It seemed like hours but daylight finally came. I jumped out of bed and ran to the window. YES! They were there waiting for me. Knowing that I wanted to wait for better light which would come in an hour I stumbled to the computer to get a few work related things done before I went out.
After an hour or so I went back into the livingroom and looked out the window. GASP! Oh no, say it isn't so Joe! Yep, the geese were gone. What the heck happened? The pond was white with them an hour ago. My gaze turned a 1/4 to 1/2 mile or so to the west and there I found the flock sitting in a field. My heart had fallen to my toes, but was gradually coming back up to at least my knees. All was not lost. I could still try to get out to that field and snap a few shots. Wouldn't be as nice as the pond, but would suffice.
Then I got to thinking that perhaps something had startled them from the pond and they might go back. So I decided to go ahead and jump in the shower real quick and see if that was the case when I got out.
As soon as I got out of the shower I once again returned to the window. The geese had not gone back to the pond but were still in the field. If I hurried and got dressed, surely, I could get a picture or two. As I was putting on my shoes I noticed movement out the window. A few of the geese were flying over our house. I looked over to the field and could begin to see a swirling white with black flecks whirlwind starting to take shape and ascend into the bright clear blue sky. I held my breath as half of the geese took flight.
"They're leaving..." I cried to Dan the Man who as still in bed. Well maybe not all of them will leave. Dan the Man informed me that I should have gone first thing when I got up. That was such a comforting bit of advice. Like I didn't already know that...
As I stood at the window, left shoe in hand and face pressed against the cool glass, the remaining geese took flight and there were no more.
I sadly watched them gracefully fly off to the south towards the bluffs and my shoe fell to the floor.
I have tomorrow off and Sunday off as well so not all is lost. However, I will not be home tomorrow morning to try again. Hopefully I will have another chance on Sunday.
I am almost 50 years old now. And you would think by now, that I would have learned my lesson. If you want to do something, do it, do it now. Chances are the world will not end because you took time to do. If you wait until you have time, the moment might not be there. I can recall countless times when I have wanted to photograph something but have not taken the time to do it either because I was on my way to do something else or was busy doing something and did not want to take the time.
One of those times was last year when I was driving home from a long day at work. The sun was starting to set and the sky was beautiful. The wind was not blowing and it was a gorgeous day. As I was crossing the river I just happened to look down at the water and there crossing in the shallows were a doe and her two fawns. Who is to say I could have got a shot, but now I will never know because I just kept going.
I also lament after family gatherings when I don't get a group shot or at least a picture of everyone present. Those times will never happen again and pictures can preserve those memories for generations to come.
So starting today, I will try my best to stop and take time. Take time for beauty, love, friendships, my family and most importantly my God. I encourage you to do the same if this post at all struck a cord with you!
