Modern Day Pterodactyl

Long, thin feathered fear

Wings outstretched gliding downwards

Will it land on me????

Yes, the other day I was attacked by a modern day pterodactyl!  At least that is what it felt like to me as I was tucked into a ball with my heart pounding trying to escape my chest. 

I was hiking at Fillmore Glen State Park on a lovely cool end of summer day. The Gorge Trail was beautiful and relaxing until…..

in my peripheral vision, I saw something large. I turned to my right and noticed the Great Blue Heron gliding near me. It’s size was impressive. I called out to my husband so he could catch it in its flying glory. Then all of sudden the heron turned towards me and started descending. There was nowhere for this bird to land. The gorge wall was right behind me. My fear of birds erupted through my whole being- WAS IT GOING TO LAND ON ME?????

I turned to go back up the trail but that meant I had to cross a shaky bridge (another one of my fears) and that was NOT going to happen. So I covered my head and bent down. I was just waiting for the heron to crash into me. The next thing I heard was laughter. Yes, laughter!  I looked up to see the heron had turned and was flapping away in the opposite direction- up river and my husband was loudly laughing at my fear induced reactions. Once I realized I was safe, I started laughing too. 

But I will never forget the day I was attacked by the heron or my new name for it the Modern Day Pterodactyl!

(There are no photos of this actual heron as my husband tried to get his camera but was laughing too hard to get it before it flew away. Also, he states that the bridge was very stable- I do not agree!)

Poetry form- Haiku

Photo- this is a heron in flight at a different location- Pymatuning State Park in PA

Beautiful or Horrific?

 First dusting of snow,

Beautiful or horrific?

Choose your perspective.

Recently, the first snow of the season happened overnight. In the morning, I was struck by the quiet beauty that had covered the world in the darkness. With the sun just beginning to rise, a light blue tint colored the morning. It started my day in such a positive way- being surrounded by the beauty of winter.

Upon arriving at work that morning, I realized not everyone felt the same way. Many colleagues were grumbling about the snow, cold and slipperiness. When checking my social media, the dissing of the first snow continued with total annoyance that more is definitely to come over the next few months.  I was not totally surprised by this because I know many people who live in my state do not enjoy winter at all. 

The differing of opinions showed a stark contrast. It truly is all in your perspective. Do you see it as beautiful or not? Will your next few months be filled with complaining or joy as we progress through winter? 

Well, I vote for looking for the joy in the blankets of snow and the beauty that only exists during this season! What will your perspective be?